This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
Sophie Otiende: A Champion Against Human Trafficking ¶
Kenyan human rights defender Sophie Otiende has received global recognition for her tireless efforts in fighting against human trafficking. She was honored as one of the TIP Report Heroes by the US Department of State for her work in assisting over 400 victims of human trafficking.
On June 25, 2020, the US Agency on Human Trafficking launched the 2020 Trafficking in Persons Report, which 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 herself, Otiende says that this experience helped her in choosing to stand up for other such victims. She noted, 'It took me 15 years from when I experienced trafficking personally to when I could properly define and name the crime.'
Currently, Otiende is running an organization, Awareness Against Human Trafficking (HAART), which has assisted more than 400 victims of human trafficking in over 10 years. She explained, '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.'
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 recognized 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.
