She said that PACTPAN’s shared vision of addressing human trafficking resonated with many African leaders, adding that the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year also inspired widespread participation.
The Catholic Nun who headed the national steering committee for Kenyan participants in the dialogue between Pope Francis and the African youths explained that the campaign against human trafficking is deeply connected to the theme of the 2025 Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope”.
“We are basing ourselves on the Gospel of Luke’s call to liberation, and justice for all captives and, this time, those tied to modern slavery,” Sr. Katunge said in the January 29 interview with ACI Africa.
She said that the PACTPAN campaign embodies the call for freedom by addressing modern-day slavery and exploitation, encouraging healing, and fostering hope among communities in Africa.
Describing the dire human trafficking situation in Africa, the Catholic Nun who is a practicing Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and majors on property law and family law highlighted cases of forced labour, sexual exploitation, child trafficking, as well as organ harvesting, a vice she said is “getting worse day after day”.
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“During my research and the documentary compilation, I listened to many cases of trafficking of women from West Africa to Europe and the Middle East,” Sr. Katunge said of the documentary she compiled in May 2024, also showcasing exploitation of children in conflict zones.
PACTPAN’s planned march against human trafficking organized in partnerships with church networks, NGOs, youth organizations, and governmental agencies will feature a clear itinerary, including starting points in key African cities, messages of hope, prayers, and moments of silence for victims. “Logistics such as transportation, security, and media coverage are being handled collaboratively and locally to ensure success,” Sr. Katunge said.
According to the Kenyan member of the SSJ Mombasa, the participation of a Vice President in the campaign brings significant credibility, visibility, and influence to the event.
“It demonstrates high-level political commitment, encouraging other leaders to prioritize anti-trafficking efforts, and amplifies the campaign’s reach across national and regional levels,” Sr. Katunge told ACI Africa.
PACTPAN has lined up various other activities in the context of the 2025 Jubilee Year celebrations to raise awareness against human trafficking in Africa. According to the PACTPAN’s Director of Programs, “The campaign runs to 2030 and the war goes on.”
“We will take part in the UN day for trafficked persons on the 30th of July from this year until 2030. We plan to have a continental team that will fight this war in these years,” Sr. Katunge said.
She further divulged that there will be interfaith prayers for victims of human trafficking, workshops to educate communities on identifying trafficking networks, as well as fundraising events to support survivors.
Policy forums are also to be held to advocate for stricter anti-trafficking measures, Sr. Katunge said, adding that cultural festivals will also be held to promote unity and hope during the 2025 Jubilee Year, which Pope Francis officially launched on 2024 Christmas Eve with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica of Rome.
The PACTPAN official said that the network of African theologians also plans to have a center in Africa where young people, especially girls, will be equipped with skills to shield them from traffickers.
“Telling these girls to stop going to these countries where they are trafficked is one thing. But how are we supporting them if they stay?” she posed, and continued, “We want to collaborate with the States to keep these young people at home and to provide them with training and jobs. It is possible and we are sure we will get there.”
Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.