Second Call for Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award

New York – March 20, 2025 – “When last year I received the Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award, I said that when you value the work of women, when you recognise the work of women, these awards gain greater significance and make the work of women more visible.” With these words, Dr. Kezevino Aram, President, Shanti Ashram; Founder, International Center for Child and Public Health (ICPH), Co-Moderator, Religions for Peace, announced this morning the launch of the Second Call for Nominations for the Religions for Peace Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award, created to honour the vital contributions of women of faith who are driving transformative change through multi-religious collaboration and action. 

Building on the success of the inaugural award, which honoured five exceptional women, this second call seeks to expand the recognition of women’s leadership in advancing the six Strategic Priorities of Religions for Peace at the grassroots level: 

• Promoting Peaceful, Just & Inclusive Societies 

• Advancing Gender Equality 

• Nurturing a Sustainable Environment 

• Championing Freedom of Thought, Conscience & Religion or Belief 

• Strengthening Interreligious Education 

• Fostering Multi-Religious Collaboration & Global Partnerships 

“This award is a powerful reminder that the contributions of women of faith must be seen, valued, and sustained. It is a call to recognise their leadership – not just in words, but in real action and investment,” said Dr. Francis Kuria, Secretary General of Religions for Peace. “By launching this second call, we are reaffirming our commitment to ensuring their leadership is visible, valued, amplified, and sustained. We invite individuals and organisations to nominate outstanding women of faith within the Religions for Peace global movement who are making a real difference in their communities.” 

The launch was announced during the virtual event “Women of Faith Transforming Communities Through Multi-Religious Action,” held in conjunction with CSW69, where past award recipients Dr. Aram, Sr. Agatha O. Chikelue, Ms. Melody Amal Khalil Kabalan, Prof. Dr. Nayla Tabbara, and Ms. Laura Vargas shared their inspiring stories and insights. Their experiences highlighted the transformative power of women’s leadership in multi-religious collaboration and action, serving as a powerful testament to the significance of this initiative. 

The Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, recognises and celebrates women who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to multi-religious collaboration and action. 

“Women faith leaders are the architects of peace, the protectors of the vulnerable, and the champions of justice. Whether in houses of worship, at the front lines of humanitarian efforts, or in policy forums, they bring both moral clarity and practical action to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Faith is one of the most powerful forces shaping societal norms and behaviours, and women of faith are uniquely positioned to influence both,” Ms. Agus Galmarini, Senior Programme Officer, Gender Equality Division at Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, added, explaining the Foundation’s decision to recognizse, uplift, and invest in these women as agents of social transformation. 

Nominations are now open to individuals and organizsations within the Religions for Peace global movement. The award aims to ensure wide representation of grassroots women leaders who are making significant contributions to their communities. 

The final deadline for nomination submissions is April 30, 2025. For more information on the nomination process and criteria, please visit Terms of Reference | Nomination Form | 

Contact: 

Ms. Kristine Leonardo 

Programme Officer and Global Coordinator, Faith and Positive Change for Children, Families & Communities (FPCC) Initiative at Religions for Peace 

Email: kleonardo@rfp.org  Tel +1 212 687 2163