Spotlight of the Week: Cheryl Perera – A Trailblazing Advocate for Children’s Rights
From a high school research project to becoming a global force against child sexual exploitation, Cheryl Perera’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. At just 17, she put herself on the frontline of justice, playing the role of a decoy in a sting operation to apprehend a child sex predator in Sri Lanka. This daring act was just the beginning of her lifelong mission to protect vulnerable children from exploitation and trafficking.
Cheryl is the Founder and President of OneChild, the first organization in the world dedicated to empowering children and youth to combat child sex trafficking. Since its inception in 2005, OneChild has impacted over 80,000 individuals in 11 countries, providing prevention education, advocacy, and survivor care. Cheryl’s work has led to policy changes, strengthened child protection laws, and provided long-term rehabilitation to countless victims.
Her advocacy spans across 22 countries, where she has investigated child sex tourism, lobbied for stronger legislation, and partnered with governments, private sectors, and civil society to take action against the exploitation of children. Her efforts have contributed to increased awareness, stricter policies, and significant changes in the global fight against child sex trafficking.
Cheryl’s relentless dedication has earned her numerous accolades, including:
- World Economic Forum Young Global Leader
- Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100
- L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth Award (2017)
- World of Children Founder’s Award (2006)
- Canada’s Top 20 Under 20 (2005)
Beyond OneChild, she has held influential roles as a Canadian Youth Ambassador for the UN Secretary-General’s Global Education First Initiative, a Youth Advocate for the Global Partnership for Education, and a Board Member for Canadians Addressing Sexual Exploitation. She has also worked with World Vision Canada, CARE USA, and WE, advocating for child rights, supply chain legislation against child labor, and policies against child marriage.
Cheryl’s expertise is backed by an impressive academic background. She holds a Master of Advanced Studies in Children’s Rights from the University of Geneva and a B.A. (Hons) in Ethics, Society, and Law; Political Science; and Women’s Studies from the University of Toronto. She has also completed executive education programs at Harvard University and the University of Oxford on Transformational Leadership and Public Policy.
As a globally sought-after speaker, she has addressed tens of thousands, sharing the stage with influential figures such as UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Malala Yousafzai. Her work has been featured in major media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Al Jazeera, and The Financial Times of London.
Cheryl Perera’s unwavering commitment to eradicating child sexual exploitation is a testament to the power of youth-driven activism. Her work continues to inspire young leaders to take action, proving that one voice, when fueled by passion and purpose, can change the world.
