Brisa is the co-founder, President, and CEO of A Breeze of Hope Foundation. As a lawyer, psychologist, and human rights activist, she dedicates her life to improving access to justice and healing for survivors of childhood sexual violence. Brisa, a survivor, uses her story and expertise to challenge the status quo and promote legislation safeguarding children.
As a Human Right Activist
When Brisa was just 17 years old, she mobilized her country of Bolivia and persuaded government officials, including the President, to pass a law declaring August 9th Bolivia’s national day in solidarity with survivors and against childhood sexual violence. Every year tens of thousands of supporters across Bolivia gather on that day to express their solidarity and challenge toxic social norms and practices.
With 20 years of experience working with survivors, and 24 years working with early childhood development, Brisa’s insights have created a remarkably effective set of interventions. Her center for child survivors of sexual violence in Cochabamba, Bolivia, implements these interventions daily, serving more than 500 children annually.
In addition, Brisa is a public speaker, researcher, and author of many books. Her life story, her drive, and her outstanding accomplishments have garnered recognition from around the world. Brisa has received many international awards for her work, including the CNN Heroes, BBC Outlook Inspirations Award, the World of Children Award, and Elevate Prize.
A Breeze Of Hope
To ensure that other children and women don’t suffer the same horrors she did when seeking justice, Brisa founded a non-profit organizationin 2004 called A Breeze of Hope. The organization has supported victims of sexual violence in all stages of healing and their struggles for justice. Through her charity work, Brisa has inspired and helped tens of thousands of children and girls around the world, making them proud and powerful survivors who have rediscovered joy and refused to remain silent. Her persistent advocacy has significantly improved justice systems throughout the Americas.
Brisa also co-founded the Brave Movement, a global and survivor-led movement that works to end sexual violence against children and promote prevention, healing, and justice.
She is also inspiring advocates around the world by speaking at major conferences. For example, She delivered the keynote speech at the 2017 Sexual Violence Research Institute Summit. This year, she received the “Champions of Justice Award” and spoke at the Lancet Commission (of which she is a member) toacademic researchers about the vital importance of their work and the need to uplift survivor voices in studies on gender-based violence.
Awards and Accolades
Here’s a list of awards Brisa has received throughout her career:
2023 – Champions of Justice Award
2022 – Distinguished Partners for Women, Peace, and Security (DPWPS) award
2021 – Distinguished Partners for Women, Peace, and Security (DPWPS) award
2020 – Elevate Prize
2020 – Distinguished Partners for Women, Peace, & Security Award
2019 – World of Children Award
2019 – Compass of Conscience Award
2018 – BBC Outlook Inspirations Award
2018 – CNN Heroes
2017 – Gratitude Network Award
2017 – Eastern University Alumni Award
2016 – Light My Fire
2016 – Vidanta Award, 1st Prize
2016 – With and For Girls Award,
2016 – Together for Girls—16 Heroes, 2016
2016 – Woman of Peace Award, 2016
2016 – Premio Democracia y Desarrollo
2015 – Global Impact Award, Futures Without Violence
2014 – Premio Departamental, GobiernoAutonomo de Cochabamba, 2014
2012 – Mary Philbrook Public Service Award, 2012