Emma Bonino served as EU Commissioner on Humanitarian Aid 95-99, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs 13-14, Minister of European Affairs 06-08,  MP and MEP. Bonino retreated from public life in early 2015 due to health reasons, but vowed to stay politically active nonetheless through her NGO, No Peace Without Justice. Her health has improved since then.

Bonino's political career started with the Italian Radicals in the 70s, when she campaigned for the legalisation of abortion and divorce in Italy. She continues to campaign internationally against FGM, and domestically for establishment of civil unions, end of life rights, and drug rescheduling, among others.