Kenyan Human Rights defender, Sophie Otiende has received global acclamation for her effort in fighting against human trafficking.
US Agency on Human Trafficking recent launched the 2020 Trafficking in Persons Report that identified Sophie as one of the greatest partners in the war against human trafficking across the globe.
Speaking on behalf of this year’s TIP Report Heroes, Otiende urged global citizens to advocate for a more equal world that doesn’t allow slavery of any kind to exist.
Having been a victim of human trafficking, Otiende says that this helped her in choosing to stand up for other such victims.
“It took me 15 years from when I experienced trafficking personally to when I could properly define and name the crime,” she noted.
Sophia is currently running an organisation, Awareness Against Human Trafficking (HAART) that has assisted more than 400 victims of human trafficking in the more than 10 years she has been in the field.
“This award is in recognition of the work that I have done with Awareness Against Human Trafficking, which is an organization in Kenya that focuses exclusively on human trafficking. The work that grassroots organizations do to eradicate human trafficking should not be underestimated,” she explained.
“I know being able to name the crime is empowering, and for someone like me, it gave me the language and tools to not only complete my healing process but to also begin to fight for other survivors like me who are in need of help, Otiende added.
Selected candidates were chosen for their leadership roles in the development of victim assistance infrastructure, resources, and practices to ensure human trafficking survivors receive the best possible care and unwavering efforts to raise awareness.
The TIP Report Heroes are from around the world and recognised by the US Department of State for their tireless efforts to pursue justice for victims, prosecute traffickers, and educate the public about human trafficking trends in their countries and abroad.
Since the inception of the TIP Report Heroes, the State Department has honored 146 incredible men and women from 75 countries.
These individuals include leaders from the NGO community, government officials, survivors of human trafficking, lawmakers, doctors, religious leaders, civilians, and even more who have committed themselves to ending modern-day slavery.
