In this episode, host Anita Patrick speaks with Henrietta Ekefre, an International Human Rights Lawyer, Policy Advisor, and Consultant specializing in transformative justice, gender equality, and reparations for historical injustices. 

Henrietta shares how she built her career in the global human rights field, from the strategic career decisions she took during her undergraduate studies, to working with organizations like the Clooney Foundation for Justice, the African Commission on Human and

People’s Rights, Africa Judges and Jurists Forum, and how she continues to use the law as a tool for social transformation.

What you’ll learn:

• The work of an International Human Rights Lawyer

• Henrietta’s strategy for choosing a law specialization

• How to reverse-engineer your career path when you have a vision

• How Moot Court competitions can open professional doors for young lawyers and law students.

• Internships, fellowships and graduate programs for Human Rights and Advocacy professionals.

• Experience working with international organizations like the Clooney Foundation for Justice

• How to apply for and get funding for postgraduate (Master’s) degrees at universities such as the University of Oxford, Loyola University Chicago, and the University of Pretoria.

• Scholarship and funding strategies: what reviewers look for, how to demonstrate need, and how to choose the right referees for recommendation letters.

• Managing burnout, vicarious trauma, and emotional fatigue in human rights work.

• The role of empathy, safe spaces, and trauma-informed advocacy in sustaining meaningful change.

• The importance of publishing research, op-eds, and think pieces to build credibility

• How to deal with perfectionism paralysis and keep showing up for your work.

Where to find Henrietta:

Twitter/X: https://x.com/Henriettaekefre

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/henriettaekefre

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theiconichenny/

Where to find Anita

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-patrick-gr8n3ss/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/anitasfire

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anitasfire/

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Chapters

02:47 A day in the life of an International Human Rights Lawyer

06:26 The inspiration behind Henrietta's law career

07:46 Henrietta's strategy for choosing her law specialization

10:59 Course content, activities and opportunities for undergrad law student

15:07 Networking and experience opportunities

16:49 Planning ahead as a Law student

17:54 Finding Law internships that are relevant to your career

26:04 Clooney Foundation for Justice fellowship experience

29:09 Importance of networking

35:34 Creating a vision for your Human Rights career

38:29 What personalities thrive in Human Rights Law?

41:07 Balancing research and advocacy

43:27 The importance of empathy in Human Rights work

45:21 Pursuing advanced education in Human Rights

55:44 Tips for applying to graduate programs and getting funding

57:42 What scholarship reviewers look out for in applications

59:05 An example of how to prove the need for scholarship for post-grad applications

01:00:34 How to choose a good referee for your recommendation letter

01:04:14 Navigating mental health in Human Rights work

01:12:24 Creating safe spaces in advocacy

01:14:56 The importance of publishing one's work

01:18:03 Dealing with perfectionism paralysis

#HumanRightsLaw #InternationalLaw #HumanRightsCareer #SocialJustice #LawStudents #AdvocacyWork #TransformativeJustice #Scholarships #StudyAbroad #OxfordUniversity #ClooneyFoundation #LegalFellowships #WomenInLaw #AfricaLaw #CareerInLaw #PostgraduateFunding #LegalResearch #PublicInterestLaw #MentalHealthAwareness #EmpathyInAdvocacy  career advice for aspiring lawyers in Africa

Production and marketing by Anita Patrick