Mam Somaly, a Cambodian woman fighting for the liberation and

rehabilitation of girls working as sex slaves, has won the World

Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child, organizers said. Some 6.6

million children around the world voted to award the prestigious prize

to Mam Somaly, herself a former sex slave, said the Swedish

organization bearing the same name as the prize. “Somaly Mam is being

recognized for her long and often dangerous struggle to save the girls

who are sold as slaves to and at brothels in Cambodia,” the group said

in a statement. “Three thousand girls who have been slaves now have a

better life thanks to Somaly,” it said. Through her organization

AFESIP, Mam Somaly has built three safe houses for girls rescued from

sex slavery where they receive food, healthcare and an education or job

training, according to the statement. She will receive her award, which

includes $75,000, from Sweden’s Queen Silvia at a prize ceremony on

April 18. (AFP)