Assita Kanko is a Burkinabé-born Belgian politician, journalist, human rights activist, and author. She currently holds the position of Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing Belgium. Kanko is affiliated with the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) party and also serves as the Vice-Chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the European Parliament. Her political career is marked by significant contributions to human rights and social justice, particularly focusing on women’s rights, migration issues, and the fight against human trafficking.
Current Role and Key Achievements
As a Member of the European Parliament, Kanko has become a notable advocate for women’s rights, with a specific focus on ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). She works actively on legislative issues related to migration, human trafficking, and other key European concerns.
Some of her key achievements include:
- Advocacy for Women’s Rights: Kanko has been a prominent voice in the fight for gender equality and women’s empowerment across Europe and globally. She has worked tirelessly to bring attention to issues such as FGM and the challenges faced by women in various societies.
- Combating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Kanko has been a vocal critic of FGM and has dedicated much of her advocacy to raising awareness and pushing for policy changes to combat this harmful practice.
- Migration and Human Trafficking: She is actively engaged in discussions around migration policies, emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from human trafficking and ensuring that migration systems are both humane and effective.
Political Party Affiliation and Country
- Political Party: Assita Kanko is a member of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), a Flemish nationalist and conservative political party in Belgium. The party is known for its support of Flemish autonomy, free-market policies, and conservative values.
- Country: Kanko represents Belgium in the European Parliament. Despite being born in Burkina Faso, Kanko has made Belgium her home, where she actively engages in both national and European politics.
Awards and Recognition
Assita Kanko’s work has garnered recognition at both national and European levels. Some notable awards include:
- MEP Award (2023): Kanko was named one of the “Top 20 Rising Stars of European Politics” in 2023, a testament to her growing influence and impact within the European Parliament.
- Oriana Fallaci Prize: She received the Oriana Fallaci Prize, awarded in recognition of her advocacy on behalf of women’s rights.
Personal Background
Birthdate and Birthplace
Assita Kanko was born on July 14, 1980, in Godyr, Burkina Faso.
Education and Qualifications
- 1998-2001: Kanko studied journalism in Burkina Faso, laying the foundation for her career in media and communication.
- 2013: She earned a Master’s degree in International Politics from Ceris, further enhancing her understanding of global political dynamics.
Professional Career Before Entering Politics
Before embarking on her political career, Assita Kanko gained valuable experience in various professional fields:
- Journalism and Human Rights Activism: Kanko was actively involved in journalism, with a focus on human rights. She worked on initiatives aimed at combating Female genital mutilation (FGM) and addressing other human rights abuses. Her advocacy efforts reflected her commitment to social justice.
- International Paper Europe (2005): In 2005, Kanko joined International Paper Europe, where she began her career in the corporate sector. The role allowed her to gain experience in business operations and communication within an international context.
- BNP Paribas (2011-2015): From 2011 to 2015, she worked in the internal communications department of BNP Paribas, a major global banking institution. This role helped Kanko hone her skills in corporate communications and strategic messaging.
- Parliamentary Assistant and Communications Officer (2018): In 2018, Kanko transitioned into political work, starting as a parliamentary assistant for Open Vld. Later that year, she worked as a communications officer in the cabinet of MR Minister Denis Ducarme from January to March 2018. This experience provided her with direct exposure to the workings of government and political communication.
Assita Kanko Family Details
Assita Kanko is a devoted mother, frequently sharing personal moments with her daughter on various social media platforms, including LinkedIn and Instagram. Her posts often highlight the importance she places on family life and the significant role her daughter plays in her life.
Role as a Mother
- Assita Kanko emphasizes the importance of investing in children as a key way to invest in society. This belief is central to her personal and professional philosophy.
- Her commitment to her daughter is evident in her social media presence, where she shares snapshots of family moments, illustrating the balance she maintains between her demanding political career and quality time with her child.
Family Life and Public Image
- Kanko’s personal life, particularly her family dynamics, is kept relatively private. While she often expresses her devotion to her daughter, there is limited public information available regarding her marital status or other family members.
- Despite the absence of detailed public disclosures about her broader family, Kanko’s actions and statements reveal a strong focus on family values, with a clear prioritization of motherhood.
Assita Kanko’s ability to balance a high-profile political career with her responsibilities as a mother is a notable aspect of her personal life. However, her commitment to her family remains a core element of her identity, as she continues to advocate for societal investment in children and family well-being.
Political Career
Entering Politics
Assita Kanko began her political career through a series of roles that ultimately led to her election as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) in May 2019. Her involvement in politics was fueled by a strong commitment to human rights, gender equality, and increasing female participation in political processes. She was elected to represent the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) party, which marked the beginning of her prominent political journey in Europe.
Milestones in Her Political Journey
- Election to the European Parliament (2019): Kanko’s election in May 2019 to the European Parliament was a major milestone. This victory not only cemented her position as a political figure in Belgium and Europe, but also amplified her advocacy for human rights, women’s rights, and equal opportunities across Europe.
- Founding of Polin (2018): Before her election as an MEP, Kanko made a significant contribution to the political landscape by founding Polin, a political incubator in February 2018. The initiative aimed at promoting equal opportunities, with a particular focus on increasing female participation in politics, a cause that Kanko has championed throughout her career.
- Recognition as a Rising Star (2024): In 2024, Kanko was recognized as one of the “20 Rising Stars of EU Politics” by the MEP Awards. This recognition highlighted her impactful work during her first term as an MEP, solidifying her position as an influential and emerging leader in European politics.
Key Roles Held
- Member of the European Parliament (Since July 2019): Kanko has been serving as a Member of the European Parliament since July 2019. Her focus areas include civil liberties, justice, home affairs, foreign affairs, security, defense, and human rights. Throughout her time in the European Parliament, she has been a vocal advocate for policies that protect fundamental rights and freedoms.
- Committee Memberships:
- LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs): Kanko serves as a member of the LIBE Committee, which is responsible for civil liberties, justice, and home affairs in the European Parliament. Her role in this committee allows her to advocate for stronger protection of individual rights across Europe.
- FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality): As a member of the FEMM Committee, Kanko has been instrumental in advancing gender equality and women’s rights within the EU, focusing on policies that address issues like violence against women, gender pay gap, and female representation in politics.
- D-US (Delegation for Relations with the United States): Kanko is also part of the Delegation for Relations with the United States, which fosters the relationship between the EU and the US, particularly in areas of trade, diplomacy, and security.
- AFET (Foreign Affairs): Kanko’s membership in the AFET Committee reflects her deep interest in global politics and international relations. She plays an active role in shaping the EU’s foreign policy, particularly regarding issues of security, defense, and international human rights.
- Leadership Position:
- Vice-Chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group: Kanko holds the position of Vice-Chair of the ECR group in the European Parliament. In this role, she contributes to the strategic direction and policies of the ECR, which is a political group that advocates for a more decentralized Europe, national sovereignty, and conservative values.
Columnist and Public Roles
- Columnist for De Telegraaf: In addition to her parliamentary duties, Assita Kanko is also a columnist for De Telegraaf, one of the leading newspapers in the Netherlands. Through her column, she shares her views on European and international issues, further amplifying her influence as a public figure.
- Board Member of the House of European History (Since May 2024): As of May 2024, Kanko has been serving on the Board of the House of European History, an institution that explores the history of Europe and its impact on the modern world. Her role on the board underscores her commitment to shaping the historical narrative of Europe and its future direction.
Net Worth 2025
As of 2025, there is no publicly available information regarding Assita Kanko’s net worth. While details about her personal wealth and assets are not disclosed, it is possible to estimate her income based on her role as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
Income as a Member of the European Parliament
Assita Kanko’s income primarily comes from her position as a Member of the European Parliament. The salary for MEPs is standardized across all members and is regulated by the European Parliament.
- Monthly Salary: MEPs, including Assita Kanko, receive a fixed monthly salary of approximately €10,160. This amount is set by the European Parliament and is intended to cover the professional responsibilities of the MEPs.
- Allowances: In addition to the base salary, MEPs are entitled to various allowances designed to cover expenses related to their parliamentary duties. These include allowances for travel, accommodation, and office expenses.
Personal Wealth and Assets
While specific details about Assita Kanko’s personal wealth or assets are not disclosed, it is important to note that the income she receives from her role as an MEP is public. However, any private investments, real estate, or other financial details remain private unless voluntarily disclosed by Kanko herself.
Current Role in the European Parliament
Assita Kanko is an influential member of the European Parliament, actively involved in several key committees and delegations. Her roles allow her to contribute significantly to discussions on various issues such as human rights, security, gender equality, and migration. Kanko’s work is characterized by her strong advocacy for women’s rights, human rights, and effective policies on policing and integration.
Committees and Delegations
Kanko serves as a member of several prominent committees and delegations within the European Parliament:
- LIBE (Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs): Kanko is the coordinator for the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group in this committee. The LIBE committee focuses on key issues such as justice, civil liberties, and security within the EU.
- FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality): Kanko plays an active role in advocating for women’s rights and gender equality, contributing to discussions and legislative efforts that aim to improve the status and rights of women across Europe.
- D-US (Delegation for relations with the United States): Kanko is also a member of the delegation focused on strengthening diplomatic and political relations between the European Union and the United States. This delegation works on fostering cooperation and dialogue between the two entities on various issues.
Specific Responsibilities and Areas of Focus
Assita Kanko’s responsibilities span a wide range of critical areas, particularly focusing on human rights, security, and integration.
- Policing and Security: Kanko has been a key player in the creation of the European Intergroup on Policing. This initiative aims to improve policing across Europe and promote enhanced cross-border cooperation to address security challenges effectively.
- Human Rights and Women’s Rights: Kanko is a vocal advocate for human rights, with a particular emphasis on women’s rights. She has been involved in efforts to combat Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and address other human rights abuses affecting women and girls globally.
- Migration and Integration: Kanko emphasizes the importance of responsible immigration policies that balance security concerns with humanitarian needs. She advocates for better integration policies to help immigrants successfully adapt to European societies while addressing the challenges of migration and ensuring societal cohesion.
Legislative Initiatives or Contributions
Assita Kanko has made several important contributions through her legislative initiatives and motions for resolutions:
- Motions for Resolutions: Kanko has contributed to various motions addressing human rights issues in countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Crimea, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues within the EU’s foreign policy framework.
- Intergroup on Policing: Kanko’s leadership in establishing the European Intergroup on Policing has been crucial in driving forward discussions on how to enhance policing capabilities across the continent and tackle security threats more effectively.
Positions on Key Policies
Kanko holds strong positions on several key policies, focusing on human rights, migration, security, and digital freedom.
- Human Rights: Kanko is an ardent defender of human rights globally. She believes in the protection and promotion of these rights, particularly for marginalized groups such as women and refugees. Her advocacy is a central aspect of her political agenda.
- Digitalization and Freedom of Speech: Kanko supports reforms in digital content moderation to ensure that freedom of speech is maintained while minimizing political bias on digital platforms. She believes that it is crucial to protect citizens’ rights to express themselves freely online.
- Migration and Security: Kanko advocates for stronger policies to combat human trafficking and illegal immigration. At the same time, she emphasizes the need for better integration policies to ensure that legal immigrants can contribute positively to European societies.
- Climate Change and Trade: While there is no specific information available regarding her positions on climate change or trade policies, Kanko’s strong focus on human rights and security suggests that she may support policies that intersect with these areas, especially when they involve the protection of vulnerable populations or the promotion of global cooperation.