Annemarie believes that a person’s opportunities in life shouldn’t be determined by their background, circumstances, or gender. Driven by a strong sense of justice and a curiosity about the root causes of gender inequality, she pursued a PhD in international human rights law, specialising in Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C).

Her research and fieldwork have since taken her across Africa, the Middle East and Asia, deepening her understanding of the realities faced by women and girls and shaping her approach to creating meaningful change. Today, she brings together academic expertise, practical experience and a nuanced understanding of the complexities of violence against women and girls.

In recent years, she has witnessed how progress towards gender equality has been uneven, with significant setbacks in many parts of the world. While more girls attend school and legal protections against gender-based violence have expanded, too many women and girls are still denied their fundamental rights.

As the founder of Right to Rise, Annemarie has spent more than a decade working with the United Nations, the European Union, governments, consultancy firms, research institutes, universities, international NGOs and grassroots organisations. Her work is driven by a clear purpose: to contribute to a world where women and girls can live free from violence, exercise their rights and reach their full potential.