Hanifa Manda is a human rights defender and democracy and governance enthusiast. She researches and contributes to the design and delivery of projects to achieve social justice. With over 10 years’ experience working with non-profits, civil society, government, academia, private sector, and multilateral institutions, she has contributed to the shaping of policy and practice to promote good governance and enhance fundamental freedoms in Africa. She joined Campaign for Free Expression in July 2022, where she serves as a Project Manager. Previously, she was a Regional Program Coordinator for a global institute focusing on building citizen-centred governments and amplifying marginalized voices. She has provided technical support to the office of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information at the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. Hanifa is an alumnae of the Young African Leaders Fellowship Program by the School of Transnational Governance at the European University Institute in Italy and holds a Master of Philosophy Degree in Multidisciplinary Human Rights from the University of Pretoria. She is pursuing PhD studies in International Relations, Leadership and Security Studies.