Sr. Gabriella Bottani - an activist for lessening the plague of slavery of human beings

Sr. Bottani was educated in the Catholic religion, joined the Order of Comboni Missionary Sisters, and stated that two aspects of her life came together.  The importance of living and feeling faith concerning being a woman within the religious order and being in relationship to God.  Early in her life, she served those considered “Other” which moved her into a personal faith.  Her life mission became one of helping women on their emancipation road to empowerment.

Experiencing life in the slums in Fortaleza in Brazil, she oversaw a social center, “Crescer Juntos,” and was deeply touched by their fear, distress, and lack of freedom. The center offered courses and activities for vulnerable women and children suffering from violence.  She understood how the environment's social frailty could lead women and children into the hands of traffickers of persons.  She began to study trafficking in Brazil and the worldwide issues to organize actions to prevent this type of modern slavery from a spiritual perspective.  Sr. Gabriella noted that the government and human rights organizations did not consider human trafficking a problem.  However, she wanted to empower women in their daily struggle for life and dignity.

Rome recognized her organizational skills in building networks and creating programs. She was called to be the Coordinator of the Network of the Religious Life against Trafficking in Persons:  the Talitha Kum network.  In this role, she helped solidify a network that operates in over 80 countries with a common goal of combating human trafficking and any exploitation of life.

In 2019, Sister Gabriella was honored as one of the U.S. State Department’s “heroes” in combatting human trafficking.  She identified three causes and vulnerabilities that contribute to human trafficking: 

·      Unequal power structures in our societies, especially regarding women, children, and indigenous people.

·      Inadequate migration policies in an increasingly interconnected world.

·      An economic model that exploits human beings and environmental resources to profit a few.

Quoting from Pope Francisco 2013, Sister Gabriella shares her commitment to lessen the plague of slavery of human beings.

Human trafficking is a wound in humankind, a wound in Christ’s flesh, a crime against humanity, a setback for the world.  Regardless of their beliefs, all people of goodwill cannot allow millions of women, men, and children to be treated as objects:  raped, sold, and resold for different purposes, damaged in body and mind, and then discarded, abandoned, or killed.  This is a shame, a scandal.   A defeat for the world.  It cannot continue!

This blog originates from a story published in The Review of Faith & International Affairs, 20 (3), 2022, pp. 89-94.