Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR)
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
University of Amsterdam
Lecture by Cambodian Human Rights Activist Somaly Mam
Thursday, 25 March 2010, 15:00 - 16:30 hrs.
Speaker – Somaly Mam
During this lecture Somaly Mam will speak about her childhood, being sold in sexual slavery at the age of 12, escaping a life of poverty and violence and finally setting up an aid organization that helps other victims who have been sold into sexual slavery. Somaly: "I've committed my life to fighting this horrible scourge on humanity. Seeing innocent young women and children whose lives have been forever scarred leaves no doubt that they need a champion who is willing to invest all their time and energy towards eradicating the shameful practice of human trafficking. I cannot wage this fight alone and call upon anyone who cares about the innocent victims to donate their time, money and advocacy to this important cause. Each contribution means everything to the victims and know that I will be forever grateful for those who help make such an important difference." Her organization receives international support from numerous volunteers and celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, Susan Surandon and Petra Newcova. A TV crew from Dutch new program 1 Vandaag will make a reportage of the lecture. This lecture is made possible by the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), ASiA Studies Amsterdam, Movies that Matter and Amnesty International.
Background
Somaly Mam is one of the world's leading and most influential social activists. Somaly's younger years were characterized by extreme poverty and violence. By the time she was 5, the Khmer Rouge controlled Cambodia, and already 1.5 million people had been killed. Torture, executions and forced labor were widespread. As Time Magazine reports: "Families fled for safety, and massive internal displacement decimated Cambodian society in the years that followed." By the time she was 12 Somaly was sold into sexual slavery by a man who claimed to be her grandfather. "She eventually ended up in a Phnom Penh brothel, beginning a decade of horrific rape and torture." Eventually she was able to escape and with the help of French aide workers was able to flee from Cambodia in1993.
In 1996, Somaly established a Cambodian non-governmental organization called AFESIP (Agir Pour les Femmes en Situation Precaire). Under her leadership, AFESIP employs a holistic approach that ensures victims not only escape their plight, but have the emotional and economic strength to face the future with hope. With the launch of The Somaly Mam Foundation in 2007, Somaly has established a funding vehicle to support anti-trafficking organizations and to provide victims and survivors with a platform from which their voices can be heard around the world.
For her tireless efforts, Somaly has justifiably garnered world-wide respect and is now a renowned leader at the forefront of the anti-trafficking struggle. Universally recognized as a visionary for her courage, dignity, ingenuity, and resilience, Somaly was honored as one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2009 and was featured as a CNN Hero. She is also the recipient of the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation, The World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child (WCPRC), Glamour Magazine's 2006 Woman of the Year Award, and has won accolades from the US Department of Homeland Security.
ENTRANCE IS FREE! DO COME EARLY SINCE SEATS ARE LIMITED!
Location
Oudemanhuispoort
Oudemanhuispoort 4-6
1012 CN Amsterdam
Room: D. 108
