Talitha Kum International

Talitha Kum is the International Network of Consecrated Life Against Trafficking in Persons. Headquartered in Rome, Talitha Kum is part of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), in collaboration with the Union of Superiors General (USG). Talitha Kum coordinates the anti-trafficking efforts of Religious Sisters, facilitating networking, communication and formation, according to the strategic planning of the UISG and the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church.

The members of Talitha Kum are intercongregational Sister-led national and regional networks that are linked to their national conference of Major Superiors. Each member network implements the priorities of Talitha Kum International and promotes initiatives against trafficking in persons in their particular contexts and cultures. U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking (USCSAHT) is the designated U.S. member of Talitha Kum.

More Information on Talitha Kum International:

History  (English | Spanish)

Talitha Kum Mission  (English | Spanish)

Talitha Kum Vision  (English | Spanish)

Member Networks  (English | Spanish)

Talitha Kum Leadership

Sister Gabriella Bottani, SMC, currently serves as the Coordinator of Talitha Kum. She is assisted by an International Coordination Committee.

Talitha Kum Intl. Coordination Committee Members

Sister Gabriella Bottani, SMC
Talitha Kum, Rome, Italy

Sister Abby Aurea Avelino, M.M.
Asia – Talitha Kum Southeast Asia

Sister Yvonne Clemence Bambara, RGS
Africa – Talitha Kum Africa

Sister Carmen Ugarte Garcia, OSR
Mexico, Central and South America

Ann Oestreich, IHM
North America – USCSAHT, CATHII

Sister Maria Luisa Puglisi, AASC
Europe – RENATE

Sister Colleen Jackson, RSC
Oceania – ACRATH, ANZRATH

10th Anniversary – September 2019

Talitha Kum International celebrated its 10th Anniversary in September 2019 in Rome. Members adopted three priority areas of structural injustice to address in the fight to end human trafficking:

1. The power differential between men and women in all sectors: economic, social, familial, political, cultural and religious.

2. The dominant model of neo-liberal development and unfettered capitalism creates situations of vulnerability that are exploited by recruiters, traffickers, employers and buyers.

3. Unjust and inadequate immigration law and policy coupled with forced migration and displacement puts people at greater risk of being trafficked.

Reports and Resources

Study Packet: Women and Human Trafficking

Study Packet: Neoliberalism and Human Trafficking

Talitha Kum 2021 Annual Report

Study, Prayer And Action Packet: Migration And Human Trafficking