Save the date for the eighth annual Last Girl Awards, an annual recognition of global grassroots action to eradicate gender-based violence and child sex trafficking, in partnership with Apne Aap. This year's program will be MC'd by South African and Indian actress and comedian Kaneez Surka. The program pays tribute to individuals who work to build a better world by standing up for The Last Girl—women and children made vulnerable to trafficking because of the intersecting inequalities of their lives. 

This year's celebration begins with keynote remarks by Nobel laureate Leymah Gbowee, followed by a conversation with activists across different fields including actor Mira Sorvino, lawyer William Silverman, human rights leader Jessica Neuwirth, activist and survivor Melanie Thompson, activist Yasmin Vafa, and political trailblazer Margaret Alva. An awards ceremony honors these diverse and dedicated individuals' impactful accomplishments in eradicating child sex trafficking.

MC - Kaneez Surka 

 Kaneez Surka is a producer, actor, and comedian from India, born and raised in South Africa. She has produced and performed in her Netflix Special, 'Ladies Up', Netflix's 'Comedy Premium League,' and Amazon Prime Video's Improv specials, 'Something From Nothing' and 'Improv All Stars - Games Night.' Kaneez is also known for her comedic acting. Her short film, 'The Shaila(s)' was selected for the Voot Select Film Festival.

Honorees 

Yasmin Vafa is an Iranian-American human rights lawyer and girls rights activist.

Melanie Thompson is a survivor of sex trafficking and prostitution, and is separately a speaker, activist, and leader in the global fight to end prostitution and commercial sexual exploitation.

Jessica Neuwirth is an international women's rights lawyer and activist who has founded a number of women's rights organizations, and has worked in the United Nations and in the international criminal courts on human rights including sexual violence in armed conflict.

William C. Silverman leads his law firm, Proskauer,’s pro bono efforts focusing on family court, anti-trafficking, and immigration.and serves as counsel for the New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition.

Margaret Alva is a member of the Indian National Congress party, serving for 40 years as a member of Indian parliament, heading numerous ministries, and serving as governor for four states, with a focus on issues relating to women and children throughout.

Mira Sorvino is an actress and activist serving as the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime Goodwill Ambassador for Global Fight against Human Trafficking.

Apne Aap is an NGO working to end sex-trafficking with grassroots initiatives in India, headquarters in New York, and consultative status with the United Nations. It has supported more than 20,000 prostituted and at-risk girls, women and their family members since its foundation in 2002, by Emmy Award winning journalist Ruchira Gupta and 22 women in prostitution.