Malaika, the Netherlands

As well as being the founder and CEO of Footprint to Freedom, a collective of human trafficking survivor leaders and experts, Malaika is The Salvation Army’s Global Specialist for Survivor Engagement and Inclusion, working with The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission.

‘My freedom is not worthy if others are still enslaved. To many, I am known as an uplifter, a feminist, an activist. Once a victim, I am now a strong international advocate for victims’ rights and the founder of Footprint to Freedom. 

‘Growing up in a social, political and cultural environment where women were forced to keep silent about their rape because of family honour and stigmatised and blamed for being victims of rape, made me powerless and voiceless. The gender-based inequalities and violence that were normalised and deep-rooted at the core of our societal and cultural values made me vulnerable as a young girl. We had a phrase that would define a good strong woman, “As one who suffers without complaining and believes silence is gold.” 

‘At an early age, I resented normalising violence against women and girls. I knew it was my divine calling to speak up against these injustices under the wings of faith – I knew I was safe. When the trafficker used religious language to lure me into bondage, my faith was crushed. 

‘What happens when you are too broken to pray? I had to rely on prayers from loved ones to remind me of God's love and my divine calling. Now, I feel blessed to work in a profession that is my passion. I am empowered daily, advocating for justice and equality and journeying with survivors in their healing. I have become the change I once wished to see, using my scars as a badge of honour and inspiration to other survivors that there is life at the end of the tunnel.’