Portrait of Mabel van Oranje, Chair of the Global Witness Advisory Council

Mabel van Oranje

Chair of the Advisory Council

Mabel is a serial entrepreneur for social change, committed to advancing equality, freedom and justice. She has founded, led and advised numerous network organisations, campaigns and initiatives promoting international human rights and development.

Most recently, she has played a catalytic role in the global movement to end child marriage, including the creation and growth of three backbone organisations: the Girls First Fund, Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage, and VOW for Girls.

An experienced movement-builder, Mabel has worked on a wide range of issues – including the 1990s Balkan wars, international criminal justice, independent media, HIV/AIDS prevention, natural resource transparency, European enlargement and foreign policy, drug policy reform, girls’ education, and democracy innovation.

Mabel is currently a board member of Fondation Chanel, More in Common, and VOW for Girls (Chair). She is an advisor to Apolitical Academy Global, Co-Impact’s Gender Fund, and the Graça Machel Trust. Mabel is also a co-founder and Chair Emeritus of the European Council on Foreign Relations. She is a Global Champion of Girls Not Brides and also a Champion of SheDecides.