Norotiana Ramboarivelo Jeannoda

Norotiana Jeannoda is an incredible civil society advocate in Madagascar, helping victims and changing policy.

Ms. Jeannoda founded the National Union of Social Workers in Madagascar in 2005. Since then, she has been an outspoken and tireless advocate against human trafficking. Madagascar has struggled with a variety of kinds of human trafficking including sex trafficking of minor girls internally. Women and girls are also trafficked abroad for labor purposes, including to the Middle East and to China. Recruitment companies offer jobs, often in the domestic service sector, in the Middle East. Conditions are horrible, and the workers are trafficked. Ms. Jeannoda has continually asked the government to do a better job of documenting the amount of workers who are exploited in the Middle East, including both those who have died and those who have returned. 

Ms. Jeannoda helped in the drafting of new anti-trafficking legislation in Madagascar. Her advocacy ensured that the legislation was victim-focused and adequately addressed their needs. Her advocacy was instrumental also in the adoption of a National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons. She counsels victims trapped abroad, helps them to return, provides services and care, and coordinates with border authorities. She also runs a shelter. In 2015, she was named a Hero Acting to End Modern Slavery in recognition of her amazing efforts.