Dr. Aurora Martin

Founder, Mobile Museum of Modern Day Slavery (MMMDS) & Vice President, International Institute for Human Security (IIHS)

Dr. Aurora Martin is a passionate advocate for gender equality and human rights, serving as Vice President of the International Institute for Human Security and President of Womanity for All. With a profound commitment to combating gender-based violence and promoting intercultural dialogue, Dr. Martin’s impact resonates across borders.

An accomplished academic, Dr. Martin has held professorships at the University of Bucharest, the Romanian Language Institute, the Pontifical Oriental Institute of Vatican, Brusov State University in Armenia, in addition to lecturing at prestigious institutions such as

the Wilmington College in Ohio, USA, the Russian Presidential Academy for National Economy and Public Administration in St. Petersburg, Roma Tre University, the University of Belgrade, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Khazar University in Baku, and the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany.​

Her extensive policy expertise includes senior advisory roles with Romania’s National Agency for Equal Opportunities and the National Council for Combating Discrimination.​

In 2016, Dr. Martin was awarded a U.S. State Department Professional Fellowship, which deepened her focus on community-based solutions to combat modern slavery. This passion culminated in 2019 with the launch of her groundbreaking Mobile Museum of Modern-Day Slavery, a pioneering EU initiative aimed at raising awareness of human trafficking in Romania and Moldova, with plans for expansion into Southeast Europe and the Balkans.​

In 2022, she was appointed Global Chair on Intercultural Dialogue as part of the G100 Global Women Leaders.​

Her remarkable contributions to peace and security have earned her numerous accolades, including Woman of the Year for Promoting and Defending Women's Rights, Romania, 2015, Le Prix pour la Protection et la Promotion des Droits des Femmes, L'Académie Internationale "Mihai Eminescu," 2018, Women of the Decade in Security and Conflict Transformation Award, Women Economic Forum, New Delhi, India, 2019,​ Iconic Women Creating a Better World for All, WEF, Bangalore, India, 2020, Exceptional Women of Excellence Award, WEF, New Delhi, 2022, Women of the Decade, WEF, New Delhi, 2022. She also received an Award of Excellence & Recognition from the Egyptian Government at the Women's Economic Forum in Cairo in 2020 and was named an Ambassador for the Transformation of Education in Romania in 2020.​

In 2022, Dr. Martin was honored with the title of Doctor Honoris Causa by Rai University in New Delhi.​

Her commitment to advocacy has been recognized on several platforms, including WomanScape.com, which dedicated its January 2019 edition to her impactful work.​

She has authored 12 books across multiple languages, furthering her advocacy on gender and human rights.​

“Her work exemplifies the transformative impact of women-led initiatives in advancing global peace and security. Her work continues to inspire and empower communities, making her a formidable force in the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.”  (Shontaye Abegaz, IIHS).