WOMEN WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Somaly Mam: "Giving Children Back their Childhood"

Born in Cambodia, Somaly Mam's family struggled through poverty and limited opportunities during her childhood. Her difficult circumstances led Somaly to being sold into a life of sexual slavery by a man who posed as her grandfather.

At a very young age, she was forced to work in a brothel with many other young girls. Somaly was fortunate enough to get out of that life early.

Her past experiences have fuelled her passion and pushed forward her efforts to help young women who have become victims of human trafficking.

"It's my life, my life is the reason. I see the suffering around and my heart dies inside," says Somaly.

Somaly says she lost her childhood and is going to do all she can to save that of thousands of others who could become victims of human trafficking. From outreach programmes, to sophisticated undercover investigations, Somaly's foundation is going all out to end human trafficking in one of the poorest nation's in the world.

"When I see children playing and laughing from the heart, that is real and I think, this is the one thing I can give to them," says Somaly.

Somaly's work has brought her enormous international recognition. She was honoured as a CNN Hero and in 2006 and recently named Glamour Magazine's Woman of the Year for her courageous work in fighting sexual slavery.