The panel of experts will share their lived and professional experiences of modern slavery, demonstrating how every person’s story varies based on their intersectional needs, and how we cannot talk about violence in isolation.

The talk will interrogate who is being listened to, analyse our contemporary context, and dismantle our often rigid thinking when we picture what victims and survivors look like. The talk will be followed by a drinks reception hosted by The Vavengers – a female, survivor, and migrant-led charity working to end Gender-Based Violence.

Speakers

Born in Vancouver, Canada and of Somali Descent, Sabrina Dhowre Elba is passionate about gender equality and promoting the empowerment of women and girls worldwide. Sabrina was appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador for IFAD in April 2020 and has dedicated her efforts as IFAD Goodwill Ambassador to the challenges faced by rural women and girls. Sabrina also works with various civil society organizations, including Farm Africa, Conservation International, as a board member, on environmental issues, co-chairing the European board for Global Citizen, ambassador for mothers2mothers and patron for S.T.O.R.M. Domestic Violence Charity. Sabrina is also a Campaign Ambassador for the One Question Campaign of The Vavengers.

Dr. Leyla Hussein is a psychotherapist, specialising in supporting survivors of sexual abuse. She is an international lecturer on female genital mutilation (FGM) and speaker on gender rights. She is recognised as one of the key experts on this issue globally and is a leading and award-winning international campaigner against all forms of violence against women and girls. Leyla founded The Dahlia Project, the UK’s first specialist therapeutic service for FGM survivors. In 2020, she was elected as Rector of the University of St Andrews for a three-year term, making history as the first Black woman to hold the position. She currently works as the Global Advocacy Director for The Girl Generation: Support to the Africa-led Movement to End FGM/C. Leyla is also an Advisory Board Member to The Vavengers.

Sema Gornall is a Turkish-born, London-based award-winning social entrepreneur, writer, artist, and human rights & gender equality activist. She is the Founder of PowerSuit, the Founder of The Un-Told Ventures and the CEO of UK-based anti-gender-based Violence charity The Vavengers. Sema is also a policy & human rights advisor for various UK government departments and authorities. She has advised and helped produce anti-violence campaigns for FCDO, Home Office, Metropolitan Police, Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime and Department for Education.

Nina Aouilk is a life coach, speaker and author. Nina is also an activist working to end Violence Against Women and Girls and spoke on TEDx. Nina is a successful mindset coach and she worked with UFC MMA Fighters, World Champion Boxers, Elite Athletes and C-suite professionals to maximise their potential and achieve success & happiness in both their professional and private lives. Nina also advises various government departments and authorities across the UK.

Attendance is restricted to Conduit members

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