The Catholic Church maintains a special trust and is deeply committed to offering care, guidance, and protection to vulnerable people, especially children. That trust in the protection and right culture within the Church is what the Jesuit Centre for Safeguarding in Africa (JCSA) was established to champion. JCSA is making steps towards an innovative training program for lay people and religious men and women on safeguarding issues within a Church that embodies security, empathy, and resilience for all its members. This report examines how JCSA is advancing its mission with the support of the Hilton Foundation by empowering women in the Church to become agents of protection.

The Conrad N Hilton Foundation’s goal of creating a world is reflected in its support of religious sisters receiving training to safeguard minors and vulnerable individuals from harm. Following Conrad Hilton’s message to “Love one another, as that’s the law,” this program establishes secure and supportive community settings. By providing sisters with expertise in safeguarding practices, the Foundation enables them to protect the dignity, well-being and rights of those who are vulnerable. This support not just enhances the Church’s efforts in providing care. It also promotes a community rooted in empathy and solidarity for those in need while reaffirming our dedication to this worthy endeavor.

Thanks to the support of The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, 141 religious sisters have completed safeguarding training, gaining essential skills to protect minors and vulnerable adults. Currently, an additional 152 sisters are participating in this important training offered by JCSA and Hekima University College. This achievement underscores the Foundation’s dedication to enhancing the role of religious sisters in safeguarding initiatives, empowering them to foster safer communities and uphold the rights and dignity of those most at risk. We can all take pride in their commitment and support their admirable mission.

Through this training, Sisters become capable of recognizing the warning signs of abuse and acquire a greater understanding of the legal, ethical, and theological imperatives that require protection for the vulnerable. Equipped with this knowledge, they return to their parishes and congregations as advocates for safeguarding and trainers of others. JCSA gives these women leaders skills in safeguarding and walks alongside them to ensure that they play an active role in making the Church safer.

The role of women in the Church is far more than the supposed traditional. Because of women’s gentle yet resolute qualities, they are best placed to take leadership roles in protection initiatives, particularly when trained and resourced appropriately. The Sisters trained under JCSA’s program are icons in this regard, changing perceptions about safeguarding within the Church and inspiring others to do likewise.

Integrated with safeguarding, their pastoral and community work significantly contributes to the broader Church mission in this area, working towards a safe and inclusive space. Alongside their training at Hekima University College, these leaders’ growth potential goes far beyond their respective parishes’ limits, enabling them to create a ripple effect that enhances safeguarding efforts across the continent.

JCSA’s safeguarding mission has grown and reached its current state because of generous supporters like the Hilton Foundation. With financial assistance, JCSA has sustained and scaled its programs, trained more lay and religious men and women, and deepened its penetration across various Church communities in Africa. This support goes a long way in safeguarding the marginalized, a cause that is fundamental to the Church’s mission and vision.

Everyone has a role regarding safeguarding; it is not the job of one person or organization alone. As a result of JCSA’s initiatives, the Church in Africa is demonstrating what safe and loving communities should look like. However, the responsibility for safeguarding extends to the entire community. JCSA does vital work, but the collective effort of the Church will truly transform people’s lives and ensure that the Church defends vulnerable people. This collective responsibility underscores the need for steady and continued funding for this vital work.