The General Assembly opened in a spirit of urgency and solidarity — a continental chorus of sisters, partners, survivors and youth advocates gathered to ask the same hard question: How do we stop human trafficking and rebuild lives? The answer was never a single policy or program. It came in stories, in statistics, in witness and in the quiet insistence of sisters who walk into the most dangerous places simply because someone must.

At the heart of the Assembly was the Sisters Anti-Trafficking Awards (SATAs) — a night of honour that put faces to courage and lifted up women religious who have built safe places, changed systems and restored dignity.

The Talitha Kum Africa’s 2nd General Assembly unfolded over a powerful and reflective week at the Kasisi Retreat Centre, Lusaka, Zambia. Beginning with an opening prayer rooted in Micah 6:8: “walk humbly with God and act with justice.” The atmosphere was alive with African drums and ululating as Coordinators and Youth Ambassadors processed with their country flags, a vivid celebration of unity, culture and shared purpose. This Assembly, held under the theme “Stronger Together: Building Resilience in Combating Human Trafficking,” served as a sacred space where members prayed, listened, learned from one another and discerned new pathways of resilience in response to increasing human trafficking challenges across the African continent. It was against this backdrop of deep reflection, solidarity and renewed commitment that the week ended in a global moment of recognition and hope: the 2025 Sisters Anti-Trafficking Awards (SATAs).

During the Assembly, participants were deeply moved by encounters that revealed the stark realities facing vulnerable communities. One of the most striking highlights was the delegation’s courtesy visit to the Zambia Government Ministry of Home affairs and Internal Security, Department of Anti-Human Trafficking, where participants were received by the Director and the full departmental team. Zambia remains one of the few countries globally) with a dedicated government structure focused solely on combating human trafficking. During the meeting, the Department shared detailed insights into national efforts across the 4Ps: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnerships, outlining recent successes and ongoing reforms. A dynamic Q&A session followed, covering critical issues such as the protection of the Talitha Kum Zambia network as they support trafficking cases, the screening of detainees in correctional facilities and the policies that have enabled Zambia to make meaningful progress in combating trafficking, achievements recognised in both the 2024 and 2025 U.S. Department of State Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Reports. The exchange left participants inspired, encouraged and more deeply aware of what is possible when government and faith-based organisations walk together with the shared mission of upholding human dignity.

It is this same unwavering belief in human dignity that took centre stage at the SATA Awards ceremony, where Three Outstanding Religious Women were honoured for their transformative contributions in the global fight against human trafficking.