Joana Adesuwa Reiterer was born in May 1981 in Benin City, Nigeria. She worked in the Nigerian Film industry as an actress and event producer. In 2003 she moved to Austria where she founded the non-governmental organisation EXIT, with the aim of combating human trafficking from Africa to Europe.
In 2006 she produced the short film - Greener Pastures, a film illustrating the brutal reality of life of a woman trafficked from Nigeria to Austria. The Austrian Broadcasting Television and 3 Sat produced a documentary (Sold Dreams) covering Joanas campaign against trafficking of women from Nigeria. She also wrote and produced a play - Dream of Paradise.
In addition Joana chairs a diverse array of events in Austria with the aim of raising awareness on violence against women. In 2007, together with two Austrian journalists, she researched the traffic in women from Africa to Europe. Their findings where published in the book - Ware Frau. In 2008, she released her autobiography titled Die Wassergöttin and acted for the UN role-play on human trafficking together with Academy Award Winner Emma Thompson.
At the moment, she is working on a new short film titled A Place of Peace, touring bookstores presenting her book and continuing her campaign against human trafficking and against the torture of sorcery accused persons in Africa.
In 2008 she was honored by the Womens Federation for World Peace and was awarded the titel "Ambassador of Peace"
In 2009 she received the first Austrian Liga for human rights award and was being made an Alumni of the American council of young political leaders.
In 2010 Joana received the MiA Award in the category "Humanitarian and social Engagement".