Dr. Daniela Ligiero

CEO & President of Together for Girls (USA)

Dr. Daniela Ligiero, as the CEO and President of Together for Girls, leads a global crusade against violence targeting children and adolescents, with a special focus on sexual violence. Her organization collaborates with governments, UN agencies, and civil societies across over twenty countries, utilizing data-driven advocacy to effect change. In 2022, she amplified her commitment to this cause by co-founding the Brave Movement, a global advocacy movement aimed at policy reforms to address childhood sexual violence. Her extensive background includes a transformative role as the Vice President of Girls and Women’s Strategy at the UN Foundation, where she developed groundbreaking gender integration strategies. At the U.S. Department of State, she was instrumental in weaving gender concerns into foreign policy and played a pivotal role in formulating the U.S. Government’s strategy to combat gender-based violence and the PEPFAR DREAMS program, which focused on adolescent girls’ health. A survivor of childhood sexual violence herself, Dr. Ligiero openly shares her experiences to advocate for change. She holds a doctoral degree in counseling psychology and is fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. Daniela, a Brazilian American, enjoys family life, creative pursuits like furniture making, and ocean-related activities in Bethesda, MD.

Andy Brooks

UNICEF Regional Advisor for Child Protection for East & Southern Africa

Andy Brooks, a distinguished expert in child protection, has been the UNICEF Regional Advisor for Child Protection for East and Southern Africa since September 2021. His career, spanning over two decades, started in the United Kingdom as a Social Worker and Team Manager in Nottingham. Brooks transitioned to international roles, notably as the Child Protection Chief for UNICEF in Sri Lanka (2006-2009) and Tanzania (2009-2013), and later as a Regional Child Protection Advisor in West and Central Africa (2013-2021). He also contributed significantly to Save the Children in Cote d’Ivoire (2001-2003). Academically, Brooks is equipped with a Masters in Social Work from Nottingham University and an M.A. in English Literature from Cambridge University, underlining his comprehensive expertise in both academic and practical realms of child welfare.

Ruth Juliet Gachanja

Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and expert in child rights and anti-human trafficking

Ms. Ruth Juliet Nyambura Gachanja, a distinguished
Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and expert in child rights and anti-human trafficking, holds an LLM in International Children’s Rights and an LLM in Minorities, Rights, and the Law. With a career spanning two decades, she has significantly contributed to impactful projects addressing policy gaps in children’s rights. Her global engagement includes reporting to UN bodies, and she plays a pivotal role in shaping future legal professionals as a Lecturer at Kabarak University and Child Justice Advisor to the Chief Justice of Kenya. Beyond academia, she has influenced legislative initiatives, chaired the Justice Working Group under Alliance 8.7, and led Love Justice International-Kenya. Ms. Gachanja’s commitment to child rights exemplifies her dedication to creating a safer world for children.

Dr. Chi-Chi Undie

Senior Associate and Technical Director (International Programs Division of the Population Council)

Dr. Chi-Chi Undie, a distinguished Senior Associate and Technical Director at the Population Council’s International Programs Division, is renowned for her groundbreaking work in sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and girls’ education. Over a decade, she spearheaded the ‘Africa Regional SGBV Network’, driving multi-country research and intervention initiatives across diverse African regions. Her efforts have significantly shaped policy and practice, leading to the implementation of regionally adopted, evidence-based interventions. Dr. Undie also co-led the data collection for Kenya’s Violence Against Children and Youth Survey and is pioneering the first such survey in a humanitarian context. As the inaugural Board Chair of the Sexual Violence Research Initiative and a Board Member of Together for Girls, her influence extends globally. Currently, she directs two major FCDO-funded research consortia, focusing on sexual health in refugee settings and female genital mutilation/cutting, further cementing her status as a leader in her field.

Deepak Raj Sapkota

Executive Director of Karuna Foundation Nepal

Deepak Raj Sapkota, the Executive Director of Karuna
Foundation Nepal and Honorary Consul of the Netherlands to Nepal, is a distinguished advocate for child welfare and inclusive development. Serving as a key member of the Central Child Justice Committee of Nepal, his extensive career includes leadership roles at Karuna Foundation Netherlands and the Association of International Non-Governmental Organizations in Nepal. With eight years at the Nepal Children’s Organization and a pioneering term as the first Executive Director of the Central Child Welfare Board, Deepak brings unparalleled expertise to the field. His areas of impact span children’s rights, disability prevention, community-based rehabilitation, public health, and inclusive development policymaking. He holds a Masters in Advanced Studies in Children’s Rights from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. Mr. Sapkota seamlessly blends academic rigor with hands-on experience, making him an invaluable keynote speaker for the International Conference on Child Protection, sharing insights and perspectives crucial for advancing the cause of child wellbeing globally.

Dr. Lina Digolo

Paediatrician & Clinical Epidemiologist, Kenya

Dr. Lina Digolo is a paediatrician and clinical epidemiologist with over 15 years of experience as a technical expert in health system strengthening, research, policy development, and service delivery. She has a strong interest in bridging the gap between research evidence and practical implementation.
Lina possesses extensive expertise in assisting national
governments, civil society organizations, bilateral and
philanthropic donors, and UN agencies in utilizing evidence for policymaking and designing programs, primarily in the Global South. She has conducted several on violence against women and children in Kenya, most of which have been pivotal in shaping policy and service delivery guidelines.
Lina has actively contributed to developing, reviewing, and disseminating various national and international policies and guidelines related to the prevention of violence against children and women.