Esset Samatova is an IPB Council Member and a psychologist, human rights defender, and peace activist from the North Caucasus. She has been engaged in human rights, peacebuilding, women’s rights, and non-violent communication since 2011.
Her work focuses on psychosocial support, holistic protection, and resilience for human rights defenders, activists, and civil society organisations working under pressure. She has developed and facilitated trainings on mental health, security, risk analysis, burnout prevention, online harassment, and sustainable activism for defenders and organisations across different regions.
Esset currently works with Protection International, where she contributes to psychosocial support, protection work, and capacity-building for human rights defenders. She has also contributed to women’s empowerment initiatives and civic education projects aimed at strengthening safety, dignity, and participation for vulnerable groups.
In 2022, Esset received the Sean MacBride Peace Prize for her peace and human rights work. She has served as an IPB Council Member since 2022 and was re-elected in October 2025.