Journalist Patricia Mukhim, activists among 10 awarded for peace building

The ‘Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace’ (WISCOMP) on Monday feted 10 peace builders working with women for their efforts to forge peace in areas of protracted conflict across South Asia. The ceremony was held at the India International Centre.

Former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, senior visiting fellow at the Centre for Policy Research Gautam Mukhopadhyay, former Chief Justice Gita Mittal, professor at Dr. BR Ambedkar University Krishna Menon, executive director of Population Foundation of India Poonam Muttreja, and country representative, UN women Susan Reguson comprised the jury.

Journalist Patricia Mukhim, Editor, The Shillong Times, was honoured with the Saahas Shrestha: Shero of Courage award for her extraordinary contributions to building peace across multiple faultlines in India’s northeast.

Addressing the audience, Ms. Mukhim said peace building initiatives between communities should be made during times of peace and not ethnic conflicts. “The challenges persist because we don’t know the steps towards conflict transformation. We jump to resolution,” Ms. Mukhim added.

Amongst other awardees were Laxmi Chetri, an Assam-based activist who works on gender-based domestic violence and sexual abuse in Bodoland, Omar Hafiz, an activist from Kashmir for his work with women and transgender persons, and journalist and activist Ruchira Gupta for her work with survivors and victims of trafficking.

Addressing the audience, Ms. Gupta said she wished no woman is bought or sold ever. “There are villages in Nepal that have no woman left, as all of them have been sold to brothels. I only wish that no woman ever is brought or sold,” she added.

Published - December 17, 2024 01:06 am IST