By Joanna Ewart-James, Freedom United

It’s that time of year again! It’s Human Trafficking Prevention Month and we’re kicking off the second annual For Freedom Awards.  

2023 was a challenging year but that didn’t stop activists on the frontline working tirelessly campaigning for change.  

The For Freedom Awards recognize exceptional work within the Freedom United community and activists making an impact tackling systemic injustices for a world more resilient to modern slavery and human trafficking. 

Please join us in celebrating and applauding the winners of the 2023 For Freedom Campaigner of the Year and Digital Activist Awards! 

CAMPAIGNER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Freedom United is proud to award the Campaigner of the Year Award to Jewher Ilham for her unceasing activism to end Uyghur forced labor in China.  

Jewher’s advocacy began as an effort to contact her father, Uyghur scholar Ilham Tohti, who is imprisoned for life in China on charges of “separatism”.  

Although her goal of reaching her father remains disappointingly elusive, Jewher’s work has helped put pressure on the government of China to end the persecution of communities in the Uyghur Region.  

Her work, including testifying before U.S. Congress, published op-eds on the complex Uyghur forced labor system and extensive high-level advocacy, has led to stricter legal measures to prevent the importation of tainted goods internationally.  

DIGITAL ACTIVIST AWARD

Freedom United is proud to award the Digital Activist Award to Ishaan Shah for being the most active digital campaigner in the Freedom United community in 2023!  

Ishaan wears many hats. Among other roles, he’s the UK Youth Delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women, a UNESCO Youth Representative, the co-founder of a youth-led anti-slavery collective and a student.  

Ishaan consistently galvanizes his networks to take action against modern slavery on all his platforms. 

HAVE YOUR SAY

Freedom United is proud to work with hundreds of organizations around the world undertaking impressive work every day to end human trafficking and modern slavery.  

From supporting survivors to recover from their experiences, to conducting incisive research exposing the realities of modern slavery, these organizations play a critical role in creating a world free of forced labor.  

We will recognize their exceptional work with two additional awards: the For Freedom Impact Award and the For Freedom Spotlight Award — and you have a say in who wins.  

The For Freedom Impact Award highlights organizations that Freedom United has partnered closely with on modern slavery campaigns in 2023, whose work has secured significant changes for a world more resilient to modern slavery. 

The For Freedom Spotlight Award is in recognition of organizations leading impactful campaigns that have focused attention and raised awareness of changes needed to end modern slavery. 

All of the nominees in the Impact and Spotlight categories are deserving of commendation for their indispensable work. 

You can now vote here for the winners of each award! Voting will remain open until January 30 and winners will be announced on January 31.   Thank you for your continued support and advocacy!

In solidarity,Joanna with Dianne, Ellie, Hoey, Jared, Kiki, Krysta, Nicole, Rebekah, and Robert.

Joanna Ewart-James Executive Director, Freedom United