Adorers: A Voice for Women’s Human Rights in the World. 10th December, each year is Universal Human Rights Day, commemorating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Promulgated by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in Paris on 10th December 1948, this historic document recognized for the first time fundamental human rights that must be protected worldwide.
As the UN states on its website, this declaration enshrines “ The inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”.
Although in the years since the adoption of the Declaration of Human Rights these rights have been more widely recognized and guaranteed, there are still many situations of human rights violations in all parts of the world. This is particularly evident in the case of women’s rights, who suffer from various forms of discrimination, violence, exploitation and slavery.
For example, with regard to human trafficking, according to UNODC’s Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2022, based on official figures from more than 141 countries, female victims remain the main target. The Report shows that in 2020, 42% of detected victims were women and 18% were girls.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic worsened the conditions of vulnerability and exclusion of women, amplifying the risks of gender-based violence, poverty, unemployment and lack of access to essential services.
Adorers, defending Human Rights since 1856
The Religious Adorers, Slaves of the Blessed Sacrament and of Charity was founded in 1856 by St. Maria Micaela precisely to respond to urgent human rights need of her time: to liberate women oppressed by prostitution. Since then, we have been a Congregation that works tirelessly to defend and promote the human rights of women, especially those who find themselves in contexts of prostitution and trafficking for sexual exploitation. We Adorers serve Jesus through women, we welcome their suffering face and their dignity, we defend their rights and their freedom, accompanying them in their recovery and integration process.
On the other hand, we are aware that in order to help women and ensure that they are entitled to all their rights as persons, welfare work is not enough. Thus, we denounce situations of violence against women in general and, in particular, human trafficking and/or situations of exclusion suffered by women because of their gender, through awareness-raising and political advocacy actions, such as campaigns, participation in research, meetings with key actors and institutions, appearances in the media, etc.
Facts about our Social Work
Our Congregation is present in 24 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and America. Throughout 2022 a total of 8,410 women have been assisted by the Social Work of the Adorers, of whom 3,745 are from Europe and Africa, 3,490 from the Americas and 1,175 from Asia.
Some of the main situations for which women access this care are prostitution, social exclusion, human trafficking, lack of protection or gender violence.
The Adorers have 86 Social Programs in order to offer alternatives for the reception, formation and promotion of these women. All this social work is carried out by a team made up of 248 sisters, 506 contracted staff and 448 volunteers.
Recognition of our work
Our work as Adorers has been recognized with various awards and recognitions, including the King of Spain Human Rights Award in 2014. This award highlighted our work on behalf of women victims of human trafficking and gender violence, our commitment to the protection of women’s human dignity and social justice.
On International Human Rights Day, it is worth remembering that the declaration of human rights appeals to everyone, we all have a role to play and we are all called to defend them. As the UN points out, we need to achieve “an economy that invests in human rights and works for all people” and “renew the social contract between governments and their peoples and within societies, to rebuild trust and embrace a shared and comprehensive vision of human rights on the path to just and sustainable development”.