New World Hotel, Makati City
09 October 2012
President Benigno S. Aquino III recognized nine outstanding individuals from different countries during the recently concluded N-PEACE Awards 2012. The country’s very own OPAPP Sec. Teresita “Ging” Deles was honoured for being the first female Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.
The rest of the awardees are Farkhunda Zahra (Afghanistan), a member of the Parliament fighting to educate and empower Afghan women; Quharamaana Kakar (Afghanistan), a leading figure working for Afghan women’s empowerment and engagement in peace processes; Radha Paudel (Nepal), working for the most vulnerable communities to advance peace and stability; Sister Lourdes Mana Lou (Timor-Leste), a “living saint” promoting reconciliation and reaching out to needy communities; Suraiya Kamaruzzaman (Indonesia), supporting victims of sexual and gender-based violence in Aceh and promoting women’s issues on national policy making; and Rupika De Silva (Sri Lanka), promoting women’s human rights and community participation for peace and reconciliation.
Other awards were also given including the Emerging Peace Champion to Amina Azimi (Afghanistan), a conflict survivor and prominent advocate for the rights of disabled women, and a special award for Sadhu Ram Sapkota (Nepal), a male champion and leading figure in advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
During his speech, President Aquino lauded the contribution of the awardees fighting for the same cause and employing the same honourable methods. “A just and lasting peace can only be achieved when every sector takes part in the process of peace building and development – when no one is left behind, when the voices of all are heard and valued, when women and men alike are empowered to take part in nation building,” he said.
The N-Peace recognizes the leadership of women in conflict prevention, dispute resolution, reconstruction and peace building at the regional, national and community levels. It stands for and imbibes the principles Engage for Peace, Equality, Access, Community and Empowerment. It is a multi-country network in support of strengthening the role of women in building and restoring peace.
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