At last year’s IHTSJ Conference, a group of Kenyan Survivor Advocates shared insights about becoming and being survivor advocates. One year later, the counter-trafficking movement in Kenya is noticeably changing. Survivor advocates and leaders are building their own networks. More organizations cooperate with survivor leaders and advocates in a systematic way, putting survivor advocates at the center in community, media, internal, and political engagements. All presenters are volunteer members of the HAART Survivor Advocates Group and/or the HAART Survivor Advisory Board; the presentation draws from their experiences on that journey. The HAART Survivor Advisory Board built on previous programs for survivor advocates and took it one step further, systematically including experts with lived experience in organizational procedures, external interactions, and program designs. Other organizations have formed committees, and survivor networks receive more attention from donors. Yet, a lot more remains to be done. Based on their personal experiences and gained expertise, the presenters want to encourage fellow survivors to join the counter trafficking movement. They wish to share with them and other stakeholders the variety of survivor engagement that goes far beyond sharing of personal experiences. On an institutional level, they will give recommendations for counter trafficking organizations, donors, and academia on how to achieve more systematic inclusivity of experts with lived experience.
As a resilient survivor of human trafficking, Mercy Murugi Njeru has transformed her experience into a force for change. She is a dedicated Survivor Advocate and member of the HAART Kenya Survivor Advisory Board. Working with various organizations, Mercy is committed to raising awareness, influencing policies, and supporting fellow survivors.
Brenda Odhiambo is a Kenyan survivor leader with a vision to create safe spaces for survivors that encourage and unify them in the fight against human trafficking. She was co-researcher on Survivors and Organizations in East and Central Africa and is a Survivor Advisory Board Member for HAART Kenya.
Petky Kiringa holds a Diploma in Co-operative Management from the Co-operative University of Kenya. He is active in fighting human trafficking and raising awareness since 2022 and is a member of HAART Kenya’s Survivor Advisory Board. He hopes to encourage other (male) survivors to speak out and join the movement.