As Catholics mark the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita on February 8, harrowing testimonies from survivors of human trafficking across Africa are shedding light on the horrendous treatment they endure. Across Africa, traffickers are using the desperation of young people searching for a better life to cash in, trafficking them under false pretenses within and across borders. The data suggest that children make up more than half of all trafficking victims, subjected to horrific abuse, including sexual exploitation and forced labor. “Human traffickers increasingly use social media and digital platforms to deceive, recruit, and exploit vulnerable people, especially young people seeking work, education, or a better life,” Katunge told Crux. The patron Saint of Sudan and victims of human trafficking remains an inspiration to all survivors of human trafficking, having shown remarkable resilience as a victim herself.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 08, 2026 12:16 UTC