Comboni Sister Gabriella Bottani receives the "Heroes against Trafficking in Persons Award”

Statement by Ambassador Callista Gingrich
on 2019 Trafficking in Persons Hero Sister Gabriella Bottani

On behalf of the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See, I congratulate Sister Gabriella Bottani upon being honored as a 2019 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Hero.

Each year the U.S. Department of State produces the TIP Report, assessing the efforts by foreign governments to combat the global crime of human trafficking.  Along with this report, the Department of State honors brave individuals who dedicate their lives to this same endeavor.  The Heroes are recognized for their tireless efforts—despite resistance, opposition, and even threats to their lives—to protect victims, punish offenders, and raise awareness of ongoing criminal practices in their countries and abroad.

Sister Gabriella, like all of this year’s honorees, fully embodies the qualities of a TIP Hero.  She is a prominent anti-trafficking advocate within the Catholic Church.  Her life-time of dedication to combatting human trafficking has saved countless lives. 

In her role as the international coordinator of Talitha Kum, a world-wide network of over 2,000 Catholic nuns working on the frontlines to end human trafficking, Sister Gabriella oversees anti-trafficking initiatives across 77 countries.

Talitha Kum – now in its 10^th year – has reached thousands of people through anti-trafficking awareness campaigns, education programs, international conferences, training manuals, and vocational training.  This dedicated network has served 10,000 survivors, accompanying them to shelters and residential communities, collaborating nationally and internationally on cases, and assisting with voluntary repatriation.  Talitha Kum has provided training to women religious in 65 countries on human trafficking prevention and protection.

Before joining Talitha Kum, Sister Gabriella played a crucial role in advancing anti-trafficking efforts in Brazil by serving vulnerable children and women in disadvantaged areas, in addition to leading a national campaign against human trafficking during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Throughout her career, Sister Gabriella’s work has inspired generations of anti-trafficking advocates.

The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See is proud of its long history of friendship and collaboration with Sister Gabriella Bottani and the Talitha Kum network. Partnerships like this are crucial to the task of eradicating the global evil of human trafficking, once and for all.
Callista L. Gingrich, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See

Speech of Sister Gabriella Bottani

Mr. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Ambassador Richmond, distinguished guests:

On behalf of the 2019 TIP heroes and those we represent, the recognition we receive today honours us and the many people, often unknown, committed to counteracting human trafficking around the world. The annual nomination by the TIP Office has become a powerful symbol of the commitment to combat human trafficking at an international level. Ambassador Richmond, thank you for this significant contribution, and our inclusion in the global network of freedom keepers. This is a great responsibility for all of us who are being recognized today!

I am here because of the 10 anniversary of Talitha Kum, a global network of women of faith, challenged by the violence and the serious violation of human rights caused by human trafficking and any other kind of exploitation around the world. I would like to thank Ambassador Callista Gingrich and the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See for the nomination.

With 50 national and regional networks led by sisters, Talitha Kum is active on every continent and in 77 countries. The organization is an on-the ground network whose members are involved in raising awareness, preventing human trafficking, and protecting survivors. This includes the management of shelters and the provision of support tor their socio-economic rehabilitation and reintegration.  It is an initiative that mirrors the great work done by my fellow Trafficking Report Heroes. Talitha Kum also promotes an annual World Day of Prayer and Awareness against Trafficking in Persons, which takes place on the eighth of February, and which is supported by Pope Francis.

Like the individuals and organizations represented here this morning, we work in dialogue and in collaboration with people of different faith traditions and with people of good will. We seek to overcome any kind of ideological, religious and political manipulation of anti-human trafficking measures and activities, promoting instead a holistic person/survivor centred approach, respecting the inherent dignity of each person.

All of us being honoured today hope that every person and institution, which is committed to combatting trafficking in persons, would address the causes and vulnerabilities that contribute to human trafficking. These include:

• Unequal power structures in our societies, especially regarding women, children, and indigenous people.
• Inadequate migration polices in an increasingly interconnected world.
• And an economic model that exploits human beings and environmental resources for the profit of a few in contrast with the exploitation of the many.

Talita Kum is an Aramaic expression which means "young girl, I say to you, stand up."

This is a call all the heroes make today – to courageously raise the bar, and our dreams, in order to open new pathways toward freedom. This freedom is possible when it is based on a mutually transformative relationship, at the personal level, between survivors and anti-trafficking activists, and the organizations we represent, but also at the geo-political level, between countries of origin, transit, and destination.

Let us stand up, together!
By Gabriella Bottani, SMC
coordinator@talithakum.info