- 14 August, 2025
Panaji, August 14, 2025: The Amrat Talitha Kum India Network held its Goa Regional Assembly for the Goa AMRAT Talitha Kum Sisters on August 13 at the Jesuit Provincial House, Panjim, on the theme “Invisible Chains – Human Trafficking and Violation of Human Rights.” The assembly brought together representatives from 21 religious congregations in a focused effort to address and combat human trafficking.
AMRAT Talitha Kum India, the national network of consecrated women and a unit of the Talitha Kum International Network of Consecrated Life against Trafficking in Persons, works to prevent, protect, promote, and restore human dignity and rights of marginalised people. Collaborating with organisations, institutions, and individuals sharing the same mission, the network strives to eradicate all forms of slavery and human exploitation.
A symbolic lamp-lighting ceremony was conducted by executive members, including President Sr. Meera RGS and Executive Member Sr. Crina SFN. This symbolised the mission to dispel ignorance, fear, and injustice surrounding human trafficking.
Sr. Dhanam HCM, Secretary of the Goa Region, opened the meeting, emphasising the network’s mission to revive hope and eliminate modern slavery in all its forms, from human trafficking to the exploitation of daily wage workers. She urged congregations to acknowledge the silent suffering in Goa and act with courage, recalling the biblical call, “I heard the cry of my people, says the Lord.”
Ms. Sudiksha S. Naik from the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, introduced by Sr. Crina SFN, gave a factual presentation on various forms of modern slavery, including forced labour, sexual exploitation, and organ harvesting.
Sr. Meera RGS, formally introduced by Sr. Amala PBVM, received a token of appreciation from Sr. Jyothi RGS, Secretary of the Goa Region. In her address, Sr. Meera reaffirmed the organisation’s stand against trafficking, advising members to be “cunning as a serpent and calm as a dove” in confronting such issues. She questioned the limited participation from Goa in this mission and called for stronger networking, collaboration, and active involvement.
A significant portion of the programme involved deanery-wise group discussions, allowing participants to address local trafficking challenges and develop community-specific action plans.
The meeting moved from awareness-building to preventive strategies, focusing on stopping vulnerable individuals from migrating into exploitative work and strengthening community resilience. Sr. Myra HC, coordinator of the Goa Region, presented a PowerPoint report and encouraged religious congregations to engage actively in their deaneries and draw on AMRAT Talitha Kum resources for programmes.
The assembly, compered by Sr. Lourenca FC, concluded with an expression of gratitude and a summary of the regional AMRAT report, reaffirming the collective commitment to the humanitarian mission.
By Sr. Molly Fernandes
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