Diya Nijhowne
About Diya Nijhowne
Title and Role
Diya Nijhowne is the Director of Refugee and Social Services. She brings over twenty years of experience promoting human rights across the globe. In her current role, she continues her mission of working towards the protection and assistance of vulnerable populations, especially refugees.
Experience in Human Rights
With more than two decades of experience, Diya Nijhowne has extensively contributed to the field of human rights. She has served as the Executive Director of the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack for over a decade, managing advocacy and operational functions. Her work focused on ensuring the safety of education during armed conflicts.
Roles with UNHCR and UNICEF
Diya Nijhowne's earlier career includes significant roles with United Nations bodies. As a child protection officer in emergencies with UNHCR in Ethiopia, she worked to safeguard children under distressing circumstances. She also contributed to UNICEF's efforts in Kenya by implementing programs to register and trace unaccompanied children, offering vital technical guidance to protect the most vulnerable.
Work in Juvenile Justice Systems
Diya Nijhowne has conducted research on juvenile justice systems under the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. This work involved detailed examination and analysis to advocate for justice system reforms and the protection of juvenile rights.
Educational Background
Diya Nijhowne holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Toronto. Her academic background supports her extensive work in human rights, enhancing her understanding and capacity to affect change in various roles she has undertaken.