“Religious women: several cultures, one heart: sent to be the living presence of tenderness and of God mercy in our wounded world”.
This is the heart of the commitment taken by religious women from across the globe regarding women and children of the 21 st century. For a number of years, religious congregations have responded to the needs and calls of today's world.
In May 2001, the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) adopted a declaration inviting nuns of the world to act together to counter the trafficking of women and children. This declaration has been signed by some Canadian communities; among them are the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, the Sisters of the Congregation Notre-Dame, the Grey Nuns of the Immaculate Conception and the Sisters of Sainte-Anne. Moreover, the Constellation des supérieures générales francophones, member of UISG, is a partner of the IBCR by means of its interventions and actions in favour of children's rights, particularly those who are trafficked.
In response to their concerns, many religious communities are conducting actions to expose the trafficking of women and children across the world and are developing favourable alternatives for victims. The trafficking of children is becoming one of the principal preoccupations of women congregations in Quebec and Canada. Pursuing the action of UISG, these congregations have put into place programs with the goal to create a local and national commitment to fight against trafficking. For example, the interactive theatre play, “Lost in Traffic”, presented since 2004 by Théâtre Parminou is always welcomed with enthusiasm across Quebec and Canada . Everywhere, this play has spread feelings of indignation and dedication.
In the follow-up of the UISG commitment, the IBCR has joined the actions of different religious congregations, notably in sharing information on the respective action plans with the Association des religieuses pour la promotion des femmes and the Canadian Religious Conference, members of Comité d'action contre le trafic humain interne et international (CATHII), as well as the Concertation des Luttes contre l'Exploitation Sexuelle (CLES).
This commitment from nuns' supports work being done by the IBCR's and leads us to elaborate on individual and collective solutions.
Religious network
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