Chylian Ify Azuhis an anti-trafficking advocate and a survivor of human trafficking from Nigeria. She works to empower female survivors in Nigeria with resources for healing, economic growth, and personal/professional development. She also raises awareness about human trafficking prevention and advocates for ending all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, in line with Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

As a survivor leader, Chylian has participated in several national programs and working groups on migration management and reintegration of returned migrants, bringing the survivors’ perspective to create more impactful and sustainable solutions.

Chylian is a member of the Survivor Alliance and a contributor to the survivor leadership movement building. She is the founder and executive director of Female Returned Migrants Network and the convener of various programs within the organization, such as Project Protect Her, Girls Community Outreach for Economic Growth, REVOT 23, and Unfiltered Conversation on Migration.

Chylian has a background in architecture and has been trained in migration reporting, psychosocial support mentoring, and trauma healing. She is a recipient of the 2022 Peak Unstoppable Humans of Change Award and the 2023 NVA Awards.

Sherrynorth Lamisi Attakora, also known as Missi, is a courageous survivor who has triumphed over human trafficking and forced labor, hailing from Ghana.

She is a dedicated advocate with a focus on addressing irregular migration, raising awareness about mental health issues related to human trafficking, and championing the empowerment of women. Missi is deeply committed to making a positive impact in these crucial areas.

Additionally, she serves as the esteemed host of the “Real Life With Missi” Podcast, where she engages in insightful discussions and shares her experiences, contributing to a better understanding of real-life issues. Missi is also the visionary founder of the Sherrynorth Real Life Foundation, an organization dedicated to bringing about positive change and support in the lives of survivors and those affected by human trafficking.

Born in the Gambia, Rosamond Erica Johnson attended an international school and proceeded to Sierra Leone at UNIMTECH where she obtained her diploma in Accounting and Finance. She returned home and worked as an accountant for the Afronut company for five years. Later, she proceeded to the Gambia Hotel School and obtained a diploma in Front Office Management and worked as an intern at the Kalimba Resort. Together with her colleague, they formed the Safe Home for Migrants Association where she is the Secretary General.

Founder and Executive Director of the Centre For Maximum Eradication Of Poverty And Illiteracy In Africa (Cemepia Africa).

Community capacity building and support of vulnerable populations.

Ngwepekem Eunice Foloh is a Cameroonian, a survivor of labour trafficking and almost a victim of rape. After her rescue, she joined the course and became a survivor advocate nationally and beyond.

She has been working with Survivors Network (SN), Cameroon/Africa, an organization dedicated to helping victims of human trafficking, modern slavery and associated abuses.

Together with the organization, she has rescued, empowered, offered psychosocial support and temporal shelter to more than 1,000 vulnerable women and girls who have been victims of human trafficking, gender-based violence and associated abuses, supporting them to get over their experiences and ensuring their smooth integration back into society.

Grizelda Grootboom, a survivor-turned-activist, escaped the horrors of human trafficking and prostitution. Now, she advocates for fellow survivors through her Survivor Exit Foundation NPC. Her candid book, Exit! sheds light on the dark realities of the sex trade, earning international recognition and contributions to combating trafficking. Grizelda’s impactful work led her to address the UN General Assembly in 2016 and speak at the Women Front in Norway in 2017. She continues to raise awareness about sexual violence and human trafficking, hoping to protect vulnerable young women from exploitation. With unwavering determination, Grizelda aims to abolish the slavery of African girls by 2020 and to ensure that women’s rights are recognized globally. Her powerful story serves as a beacon of hope for survivors and fuels her mission to create a safer future for all.

Fauziah Wanjiru is a survivor of labor trafficking in Saudi Arabia and a devoted human trafficking activist based in Kenya. Currently serving as the Regional Coordinator in East Africa for Footprint to Freedom, a survivor-led organization, Fauziah utilizes her community organizing skills to bring about positive change.

Her work focuses on empowering and advocating for migrant workers, informal workers, and gender-based violence survivors, achieving what many thought was impossible. Fauziah’s genuine interest in solving community problems and her empathetic approach enable her to work closely with the community and various organizations.

As a survivor herself, she serves as a mentor, inspiring others to overcome adversity. Her relentless efforts raise awareness about human trafficking and provide essential support to those affected by it. Fauziah’s resilience and dedication continue to make a lasting impact, driving the fight against human trafficking in Kenya and beyond.

Through her inspiring journey, Fauziah Wanjiru showcases the strength of survivors and the transformative power of collective action. Her story serves as a beacon of hope, motivating individuals to join the cause and work towards a safer, more compassionate world.

Itohan Okundaye is a highly respected human trafficking activist, advocate, public speaker, and consultant based in Finland. With her unwavering dedication, she has become a prominent voice in the fight against modern-day slavery. As a two-time member of the International Survivors Advisory Council (ISTAC), Itohan has shared insights which have shaped policies and initiatives to protect and support victims of human trafficking worldwide. She is the visionary CEO and Founder of the Shining Hope Foundation against Human Trafficking in Nigeria, empowering survivors and providing them with tools for healing and growth. An engaging public speaker, Itohan shares firsthand experiences that captivate audiences and inspire action. Her expertise as a consultant benefits organizations, government bodies, and law enforcement agencies in the ongoing fight against human trafficking.

Mercy Ogalo Obade, a survivor of human trafficking from Kisumu, Kenya, has emerged as an inspiring advocate for victims. After her challenging experiences in Europe, she overcame adversity and became a volunteer for HopeNow Denmark, where she supported and counseled over 58 victims. Mercy’s dedication led her to represent Denmark and other survivors on the International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC), making a significant impact in promoting survivor inclusion in anti-trafficking policies. Now residing in Mombasa, Kenya, she founded HopeNow Kenya to combat human trafficking in East Africa. Her pilot project, “Komesha Ulanguzi wa Binadamu” (End Human Trafficking), aims to raise awareness and empower communities to avoid trafficking deceit. Mercy’s outstanding skills in counseling, communication, and empathy make her a great listener and advocate for survivors. Through her journey from survivor to advocate, Mercy continues to inspire and create positive change in the fight against human trafficking.

Godfrey Mpandikizi is the Executive Director at Tanzania Anti-Human Trafficking and Legal Initiatives (TATLI). As the Director for TATLI, he combats human trafficking in Tanzania while building a centralized human trafficking movement, supporting victims of human trafficking through legal aid and social support, providing advocacy and lobbying, conducting strategic litigation cases, and giving access to justice to victims of human trafficking. Mr. Mpandikizi has more than 15 years of experience working on human rights. He is also an Advocate of the High Court of Tanzania and admitted Legal Counsel to the African Court on Human and People’s Rights. Mr Mpandikizi has keen interest in building survivors of human trafficking in Africa.

Awah Francisca Mbuli is a survivor of sex and labor trafficking and almost a victim of organ trafficking. She is the founding director of Survivors’ Network (SN), a female-led Cameroonian NGO comprised of trafficking survivors that raises awareness, helps victims escape their trafficking situations, and offers temporary housing, vocational training, and other essential services that survivors need for successful reintegration. As a survivor, she uses her experience to educate and prevent others in Cameroon from experiencing human trafficking. Since 2015, her organization has helped over 50 women from West and Central Africa free themselves from their situations of forced labor, including debt bondage, in the Middle East. Under her leadership, Survivors’ Network has built a unique approach to survivor empowerment by focusing on economic independence and fostering entrepreneurship among women and girls. She has provided guidance to more than 2,000 victims of trafficking, and her organization has helped create economic opportunities for more than 400 survivors and internally displaced persons (women) across Cameroon by providing micro financing to small businesses and income-generating projects as well as job and small business training.

Miriam Kusiima is a passionate Ugandan educator and advocate for women’s emancipation. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Adult and Community Education, she is on a mission to eradicate human trafficking and gender issues through interlinked approaches: prevention, empowerment, reintegration, advocacy and survivor inclusion. As a survivor herself, Miriam serves as community-outreach mobilizer for Footprint to Freedom, working tirelessly to break the cycles of exploitation.

Their innovative programs which she spearheads uplifts marginalized groups, especially women and youth, by equipping them with economic skills to resist traffickers. Miriam firmly believes that poverty should never fuel trafficking, empowering girls to confidently say “No” to exploitation.

Her unweaning dedication to social justice is evident through her efforts to uplift women and challenge failed government policies, striving for a society where all can thrive and fulfill their potential.

Agnes Afrakomah is the founder & CEO of Freedom Mission International LBG (FMI). As a trafficking survivor herself, she knows firsthand the pain and suffering caused by human trafficking. Through FMI, she campaigns tirelessly against human trafficking and advocates for its victims. Freedom Mission International is dedicated to combating human trafficking and raising awareness about the grave violations of human rights taking place across the world.  The mission of FMI is to work towards eradicating trafficking in all forms and to provide support to victims and survivors. She has made it her mission to prevent human trafficking before it starts by raising awareness and educating the public on the dangers of trafficking. She frequently helps rescue girls who have been trafficked to the Middle East and provides aid and support to them once they return home.

Founder of the Soul of Rwanda organization that takes care of street children through acro yoga, gymnastics, pyramids, and clown activities.

Afasi Komla is the director of End Modern Slavery at Engage Now Africa, an international non-governmental organization with offices in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Namibia. Afasi manages the rescue initiative addressing modern day slavery and human trafficking at its roots in high risk communities through strategic prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, and prosecution programs. He is also the African regional coordinator at ENA’s partner organization Freedom Now International where he is responsible for training rescued and rehabilitated survivors of trafficking on sustainable livelihood support programs. Afasi has a master’s degree in Management Development (MDM) from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). He also has a first degree in Operation and Project Management from GIMPA. He is passionate about ENA’s purpose to heal, rescue, and lift vulnerable individuals and families, empower communities, and in creating results oriented self-reliant programs all of which have distinguished Mr. Afasi Komla as an experienced and recognized leader in Africa.

Malaika Oringo is the Founder and CEO of Footprint to Freedom, a survivor-led organization. She is also the Founder of Footprint to Climate and the African Survivor Coalition. A talented advocate, she speaks up against human trafficking, stands up for victims’ rights and works to strengthen survivor inclusion and engagement. Malaika has spoken on various stages throughout Europe and at the United Nations in New York. Raised in Uganda in harsh conditions and exploited in the Netherlands, she has devoted her life to fighting against human trafficking. Malaika believes that since survivors are the most significant stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking, they should sit at decision-making tables from the community level to the national level and the international level.

Hyab, PhD holder from the University of Glasgow, is a research associate and academic coordinator for CUSP N+. He conducts research, synthesizes findings, draws expertise from various fields, and builds academic and non-academic collaborations. Hyab recently signed a book contract with Routledge for his upcoming book, “The Coloniality of the Refugee.” He is a member of the RSE Young Academy of Scotland and holds several management and leadership roles outside academia.