Amid the timeless glamour of Beverly Hills and a profound spirit of solidarity, an extraordinary gathering took place on June 8, 2025, at the historic former Warner estate—now home to Justice For Women International Board Chair and human rights advocate Daphna E. Ziman. In this iconic venue, Ziman hosted a private garden benefit that united powerful voices from entertainment, policy, and philanthropy in a resolute stand to end sex trafficking and uplift girls across the globe.
The evening, rich with purpose and passion, was headlined by Emmy-winning actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish, whose raw and heartfelt remarks reflected her personal journey through the foster system. Despite not feeling well, Haddish stood strong, declaring, “If I can show up and save a life, I’m going to do it.” Her presence alone served as a testament to the power of resilience and community. She spoke movingly about growing up in Los Angeles’ foster system and the importance of creating safe spaces and real pathways for youth escaping cycles of trauma.
Daphna Ziman Justice For Women International Board Chair and human rights advocate
At the heart of the evening were the hosts whose tireless dedication is fueling a movement of hope and healing. Daphna E. Ziman, co-founder and Board Chair of Justice For Women International, delivered a stirring, unflinching speech that illuminated the brutal reality of trafficking. She drew on harrowing personal observations during a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo—where she witnessed young girls sold for a dollar at roadside kiosks. One of the most disturbing images she shared was of an 11-year-old girl, in full-term labor, about to give birth in a dentist’s chair inside a makeshift maternity clinic. “She had only a 40% chance of survival,” Daphna recounted, her voice filled with emotion. “This is the face of injustice that too many refuse to see.”
She spoke with fire and clarity, connecting the global crisis of trafficking with what’s happening in the U.S. “Where is the National Guard when hundreds of thousands of immigrant girls go missing at the border into sex trafficking?” she asked. Ziman emphasized that these children are not strangers. “They are our children. This is our fight.” She further drew attention to the rampant sex trade visible right in Los Angeles, citing Figueroa Street as a known corridor where young girls, some as young as ten, are trafficked in plain sight.
Ziman’s advocacy goes beyond awareness. Her leadership has been instrumental in forging impactful partnerships, including with Innovation: Africa, to bring life-saving solar-powered water systems and sustainable agriculture to underserved African communities. Her broader vision—building Every Girl City as a model of restoration for trafficked foster youth—demonstrates her unwavering commitment to turning pain into power and tragedy into transformation. This model includes transitional homes, mentorship programs, academic training, and emotional rehabilitation.
She also shared her deeply personal inspiration: a gift from her grandfather, a Statue of Liberty figurine, given to her on her sixth birthday. It was that gift—and his Holocaust survivor legacy—that inspired her journey to the United States and fueled her belief in the American dream. “This country is about freedom and possibility,” she said. “And we must return to those values, where the most vulnerable are protected, not forgotten.”
Dennis Ramdahin, Chief Operating Officer of Justice For Women International and founder of the Vihara Foundation.
Joining her in this mission was Dennis Ramdahin, Chief Operating Officer of Justice For Women International and founder of the Vihara Foundation. Ramdahin offered a strategic blueprint for addressing trafficking’s root causes: lack of access to food, clean water, energy, education, and healthcare. “We know how to build whole systems to restore dignity and opportunity,” he said. “This is not charity. It’s justice by design.” He emphasized the scalability of these solutions, not only in African communities but in Los Angeles itself, where homelessness and exploitation are closely linked.
Ramdahin underscored that 70% of villagers they aim to support are illiterate—a barrier they plan to overcome with education hubs integrated into each development. Their mission also includes urgent work with foster youth who age out of the system with nowhere to go and fall prey to trafficking. By building sustainable transitional housing and vocational training villages in partnership with Mayor Karen Bass, the team envisions a tangible path forward for these vulnerable young people.
The benefit showcased stirring moments, including a riveting performance by Models Against Sex Trafficking and music by Pink Floyd’s Durga McBroom, whose evocative vocals amplified the night’s emotional resonance. The setting itself was symbolic: a whimsical garden with churros, hot dogs, and childhood treats—reminding guests of the innocence that trafficked children are so often robbed of.
But beyond the art and ambiance, the mission was clear: to mobilize resources for a transformative initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where young girls are trafficked for the price of a cup of rice. Innovation: Africa has already helped install over 1,300 solar water systems across the continent. Now, Justice For Women aims to expand this work by bringing infrastructure, training, and ownership to the communities most affected by gender-based violence.
Justice For Women’s vision also extends to Los Angeles, where sex trafficking persists in plain sight. With support from Mayor Karen Bass, the organization is laying the groundwork for “Every Girl City”—a pioneering village designed to rehabilitate trafficked foster youth through mentorship, housing, and education.
Justice For Women International, in collaboration with a global team of engineers and social innovators, aims to replicate this model worldwide. The technologies are in place, and the blueprints are ready. What they need now is investment—financial, emotional, and political.
In a world where 27 million people are trafficked, and 57,000 girls go missing daily, silence is complicity. But on this night, the garden was not silent. It was filled with music, memories, and a movement in
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To learn more about Justice For Women International, and how you can get involved, visit www.justiceforwomenintl.org. For more on Innovation: Africa’s life-changing work, visit www.innoafrica.org.
Photo Credit: Tshombe Sampson
