Hadizatou Mani

Hadizatou Mani (born 1984) is a human rights activist from Niger. In 2009, Mani received an International Women of Courage Award. 

 Life 

In 1996, Mani was sold as a slave for $500. She was 12 years old. 

In 2003, slavery became illegal in Niger.  Mani’s master did not tell her.  Later, he said Mani was his wife, not his slave. 

Mani received her "certificate of liberation" in 2005, and she got married. Her old master took her to court for bigamy. She got a prison sentence of six months. 

Mani took the case to court.  She worked with Timidria, a local NGO, and Anti-Slavery International, a British NGO. he brought the case to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).   In 2008, ECOWAS said that Niger did not protect her rights.  They said Niger had to pay her a fine of 10 million CFA francs.  

 Awards 

In 2009 Mani was named one of the Time 100 people. 
In 2009 Mani received the International Women of Courage Award from the U.S. State Department.  

 References  

Category:1984 births
Category:Women who received the International Women of Courage Award
Category:Nigerien people
Category:Human rights activists
Category:Living people