Asha Allen Joins CDT as European Advocacy Director
Allen to help lead CDT Europe’s work on issues at the intersection of online expression, civic engagement, and technology
(BRUSSELS) – The Centre for Democracy & Technology (CDT) Europe is delighted to welcome Asha Allen as Advocacy Director for Europe, Online Expression & Civic Space. Allen comes to CDT following a distinguished career as a digital rights advocate, human rights defender, and policy expert.
Most recently, she led the advocacy engagement of Europe’s largest women’s civil society organisation, the European Women’s Lobby, on combating online abuse against women. Allen notably coordinated the #HerNetHerRights II: Prevent, Protect, Promote Campaign–which reached over 3 million people globally–and simultaneously developed the organisation’s long-term strategy for political engagement in the field of gender mainstreaming of EU digital policies.
“We are absolutely thrilled to bring on board someone with Asha’s deep policy knowledge, advocacy skills, and commitment to human rights, gender justice, and digital rights,” says CDT Europe Director Iverna McGowan. “Asha is joining CDT Europe and bringing these skills at a crucial moment, when key decisions are being made on the EU Digital Services Act that can have long-lasting implications for human rights and democracy in Europe and beyond.’’
In addition to serving as Policy & Campaigns Officer at the European Women’s Lobby, Allen previously worked as a project coordinator in collaboration with UN Women on the Implementing Norms, Changing Minds project focused in the Western Balkans and Turkey, as well leading advocacy to support the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention on Domestic Violence. As a researcher, she published analyses on the intersection between online discourse and the securitisation of migration, and the online facilitation of human trafficking.
Allen also spent several years in the private sector, including working in business development for the largest internet service provider in the UK, where she supported the regional office’s participation in the UK government’s Building Digital Campaign.
She is also one of six women who front the Who Writes the Rules Campaign and is a prominent international speaker and consultant in the area of eradicating online harassment or abuse.
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CDT is a 25-year-old civil society organisation based in Brussels and Washington, D.C. that works to increase equality, amplify voices, and promote human rights in law and policy debates. CDT champions policies, laws, and technical designs that protect against invasive, discriminatory, and exploitative uses of new technologies. Learn more at cdt.org/eu.