Children, Women Most Trafficked in São Tome, Catholic Nun Says, Calls for Their Protection

Sr. Lamperti explained that children are often trafficked "for cheap labor, for domestic work, as street vendors, as farm workers and for child marriages."

“These children are denied access to school because they are forced to work,” she told ACI Africa during the July 5 interview, adding that “sometimes children are victims of witchcraft."

On the other hand, trafficked women are used "for sexual exploitation and/or prostitution”, the member of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo – Scalabrinians (MSCS) further said.

According to Sr. Lamperti, the traffickers carry out the crimes "for personal gain, due to the economic challenges".

The CEPAMI Executive Secretary said that while cases of human trafficking are not common as in other nations, there is need for collaborative efforts to address the scourge of human trafficking "which occurs mainly inside" the African island country.

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The Brazilian-born Catholic Nun went on to applaud the Santomean government for its efforts in raising awareness about the scourge of human trafficking.

She however said that she believes “more needs to be done to protect victims of human trafficking, especially women and children who are the main victims.”

Sr. Lamperti highlighted some of the issues that were discussed during the three-day workshop that brought together members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Angola and São Tomé (CEAST).

“We looked at the different types of human trafficking, what is human trafficking, who is trafficked and the purpose of human trafficking," she said.

She added, "We had presentations from a member of the public ministry to address issues concerning human trafficking of women and children, who are the main victims of the scourge in the country.”

The CEPAMI official further said that participants at the three-day workshop, which concluded on June 29 also looked at the rights of fishermen in the African island country.

“CEPAMI was established in 2006 and we have established pastoral care offices in 19 Dioceses of Angola and one in São Tomé. Most of the locals are fishermen and public transport drivers, so we highlighted the Biblical and theological foundations of the apostolate of the sea, and pastoral for road users”, she said.

Sr. Lamperti said the workshop was an opportunity for participants to learn and share experiences about “the reality of fishermen as many depend on fishing”.

“It's important for the fishermen to know their rights, to know that the Church is here to assist them”, she told ACI Africa, and added, “We looked at statistics with regards to road accidents and its consequences; (and) the role of the Church in conscientizing people about pastoral for road users, which is to remind people to respect human life.”

The MSCS member underscored cordiality, respect, and patience as virtues that Catholic and Christian road users need to demonstrate “to avoid accidents, fights etc… so that others may follow such good examples.”

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Sheila Pires is a veteran radio and television Mozambican journalist based in South Africa. She studied communications at the University of South Africa. She is passionate about writing on the works of the Church through Catholic journalism.