Nelson Castro

Nelson Castro joined Vital Voices in 2018. He currently oversees the implementation of Voices Against Violence: The Gender Based Violence Global Initiative as well as several initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean. He brings experience managing impactful projects aimed at improving responses to GBV by partnering with women leaders and their allies. He’s implemented over 6 Justice Institutes and has helped build global networks and local task forces to coordinate efforts around GBV prevention. In 2021, he supported the coalition that evacuated over 1,000 Afghan women and their families and supported relocation efforts. Additionally, he works to support the Voices of Solidarity Council.

Prior to joining Vital Voices, Nelson worked at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations supporting a multi-stakeholder platform working to address issues in the global supply chains, focusing on women workers in Latin America & West Africa. He also has experience serving as an adjudicator for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Nelson graduated with a MA in International Development from Sciences Po Paris, and a BA in French and Political Science from the University of Colorado. He speaks Spanish, French, Italian and is learning Portuguese!

What do you see as one of the greatest challenges facing women leaders?

“Getting men to listen and cooperate, convincing them that feminism is also about them, that violence against women is a men’s issue and that they need to get involved.”