Social Justice and Humanitarian Leader

Join Ashley in her fight for equality and a better world for all

A feminist and social justice humanitarian, Ashley is a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for the sexual and reproductive rights and health for girls and women worldwide. She has traveled to 23 countries, visiting brothels, refugee camps, hospices and slums, learning directly from the vulnerable and resilient and bringing a spotlight to the incredible stories she is told.

Learn more below about Ashley’s advocacy work and how you can take action on the issues she cares about most.

Child Labor and Human Trafficking

First molested by a man at age seven, Ashley was commercially sexually exploited at age 14 for two months while so-called “modeling" in Japan. Enabled by systems of government, capitalism, and the patriarchy, she barely made it out of Tokyo. Ashley staunchly supports female agency and autonomy.

As a global advocate for freedom from male sexual violence, she works with sex slavery abolition organizations Polaris Project, World Without Exploitation, Demand Abolition, My Life, My Choice, and Apne Aap Worldwide, and others.

“Child labor is a moral crisis. These child workers are often isolated and without any kind of adult protection, breaking their backs on the vast fields and farms of big agriculture, which could be several days' walk from anywhere they could seek help, working long hours on physically dangerous factory assembly lines, as The New York Times has documented.”

Ashley’s op-ed on child labor in
USA Today

Polaris Project Resilience Fund giving human trafficking survivors dignity and trust by providing them a cash fund every month

Check out resources from Aapne Aap, an NGO working to end sex-trafficking

Prioritizing Mental Health and Wellness

​​A survivor of multi-generational family trauma, dysfunction and child rape, Ashley has been in recovery for 18 years. She is a devoted public advocate on behalf of victims/survivors and those with mental illness. With the sudden death of her mother by suicide in 2022, Ashley is advocating for new legislation in Tennessee to keep graphic details and photos of a suicide out of the media, where it can sensationalize the death and lead to contagion amongst those vulnerable to self-harm.

She believes trauma we do not transform is trauma we will transfer, and that a life of service must begin with taking responsibility for one’s own healing.

“When we are allowed time to process trauma and heal and to disclose its causes at our discretion, we can become effective public advocates. But people should never have to share their wounds with the public before they are ready — if ever.”

Ashley’s New York Times’ op-ed on ‘The Right to Keep Private Pain Private’

Support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

 Sign Naomi’s Law Pledge

We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

Ashley is grateful to be trusted to serve as Global Goodwill Ambassador for the United National Agency for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (UNFPA). She’s traveled to 23 countries, from Eastern Ukraine to South Sudan, DR Congo to Bangladesh, where she has sat, cried, laughed, and danced with girls, women, and families in slums, brothels, refugee camps, hospices, and orphanages, hearing their stories of trauma and resilience. 

She lives part of each year in the Central African rain forest in Democratic Republic of the Congo, where her partner, Martin, has a Bonobo research camp. Bonobos, our closest living relatives, are egalitarian, matriarchal, and free from male sexual violence. They give her hope. It is the honor of her life to be welcomed into people's huts, to be hugged and trusted, to have been allowed to love.

Fighting for Women and Girls

 “Being a girl is not a crime, it is a privilege. I am excited to do what I can to help girls and women everywhere contribute their potential – which is indeed awesome – to the progress of all humankind.”

Ashley’s op-ed on the fight to help women and girls in crisis

As millions of families suffer through conflict and natural disasters around the globe, find out what UNFPA is doing to help.

Support Frontline Women’s Fund, which supports women activists in their communities.

Press Highlights

Get the latest articles, op-eds, interviews, podcasts and more

Ashley Judd Reflects on a Year of Grief
(New York Times)

A Year of Grief and Learning Without
My Mom (Time)

Why #MeToo Makes Ashley Judd Joyful (CNN)

Ashley Judd Won’t Stop Fighting for
Women and Girls (Time)

Combating Sexual Violence w/ Ashley Judd (Georgetown)

Ashley Judd on Mental Illness,
Her Mother’s Death & the Importance of Grief Support (Healing with David Kessler)

We have the power to help women and girls caught in crises (USA Today)

What People Are Saying

  • "I have had the pleasure of watching Ashley light up a room with her passion for justice and her dedication to humanity. She is the kind of advocate you want on your team because she fully embraces and embodies what she believes in - it's what makes her so powerful."

    Tarana Burke, Founder, #MeTooMvmt

  • “By sharing her inspiring story and heartfelt personal connection to the cause, Ashley empowers others to take steps toward healing, growth and treatment. Sharing her story of suicide loss is also helping to shine a light on the need for media to employ safe messaging practices and for state legislators to respect privacy for families who have lost loved ones to suicide. Ashely’s presence at the Lifesavers Gala will be remembered by attendees for many years to come, and we are enormously grateful for her involvement in our cause. I look forward to continuing to work together to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.”

    Bob Gebbia, CEO, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

  • “Criss-crossing the globe to help meet some of the most challenging humanitarian circumstances, UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador Ashley Judd exudes fearlessness and inspires the women and girls she meets. On her travels with UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, she’s proven to be one of our most dedicated and hard-working advocates. For the women and girls we serve, our staff and the donors vital to our operations, her authenticity, compassion and ability to connect with others is refreshing, and everyone feels that every time they work with her."

    Dr Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director and Under Secretary for the UN

  • “With depth of knowledge and expertise, Ashley’s compassion, intelligence, and clarity helps listeners understand the complex and nuanced nature of discussions around the sex trade. A dynamic and compelling public speaker and panelist, Ashely compassionately shares space with survivors, thoughtfully amplifying their voices and drawing on their considerable expertise. We greatly value Ashley’s partnership, openness, and intelligence in our every collaboration.”

    Rachel Foster, Chair of World Without Exploitation

  • "Ashley Judd's exceptional speaking abilities truly make her an influential advocate for change. With unwavering dedication, eloquence, and passion, she mesmerizes audiences when discussing critical issues such as sex trafficking, women's rights, child protection, and global peace. Whether on NBC, Proskauer and Rose, the United Nations, or speaking to survivors or university students in India her presentations leave a lasting impact, sparking profound conversations and inspiring action. Ashley brings the story to life, forging deep connections and evoking a sense of urgency. Inviting Ashley as a speaker is an empowering choice, as she enlightens, raises awareness, and contributes to a world where rights are safeguarded and peace thrives.”

    Ruchira Gupta, Founder and President, Aptne Aap Worlwide, UN Advisor on Human Trafficking

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