Religions for Peace Announces Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award Winners

Religions for Peace, the world’s largest and most representative multi-faith organisation, is delighted to announce the winners of the highly anticipated inaugural Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award, recognising and honouring exceptional diverse women of faith who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in advancing gender equality and fostering interfaith cooperation in their communities and beyond. After receiving nearly 100 nominations from across the world, the winners of the inaugural Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award are: Dr. Kezevino Aram, Co-Moderator, Religions for Peace; President, Shanti Ashram; Professor Dr. Nayla Tabbara, Co-President, Religions for Peace; Co-Founder, Adyan Foundation; and, Rev. Sr. Agatha Ogochukwu Chikelue, Chair, Religions for Peace International Women’s Coordinating Committee (IWCC); Executive Director, Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP), Nun of the Daughters of Mother Mary of Mercy, respectively. Hailing from diverse regions and religious backgrounds, these extraordinary leaders have demonstrated exemplary dedication to fostering dialogue, social justice, and community-building. Their stories are a testament to the positive impact that women of faith can have on shaping a more inclusive and harmonious world.

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Religions for Peace is pleased to announce the Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award, made possible by funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Women of faith are the backbone of all faith communities and religious institutions but are rarely recognised for their efforts. Religions for Peace understands the importance of recognising and amplifying the work of women of faith and women-led initiatives, as they are often overlooked in the fields of peacebuilding and interfaith cooperation. Through this award, Religions for Peace aims to highlight and bring attention to the crucial role that women of faith play in creating lasting change in their communities and beyond.

The Award

The award selection committee—composed of Co-Presidents and Honourary presidents serving on the World Council (Religions for Peace governing board), members of the Religions for Peace Standing Commissions, Women of Faith, youth, representatives from partner organisations, and academics working on research relevant to Religions for Peace priority areas—will nominate one woman of faith or woman-led multireligious initiative from each of the following regions: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, and North America. These nominated initiatives will be highlighted through a coordinated media campaign to raise the profile of the women of faith and their initiatives. One winner and two runners-up—chosen by the award selection committee—will be invited to attend an award ceremony wherein they will receive a cash prize (1 st Place = $7,356; 2nd Place = $5,000; 3rd place = $2,500). This award money will be used to scale up the scope of their work. The award will also build the capacities of interreligious networks by providing a platform for nominees to act as trainers for other women of faith and share best practices throughout the Religions for Peace movement that consists of over 90 Inter-religious Councils (IRCs) and their Women of Faith Networks and Interfaith Youth Networks that work at the local, national, regional and global levels.

Award Criteria and Process

With the call for nominations, Religions for Peace welcomes individuals and organisations to nominate women of faith—religious leaders and non-traditional faith actors—and women-led initiatives who have contributed to the six Key Strategic Priority Areas of Religions for Peace (Promoting Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies; Advancing Gender Equality; Nurturing Sustainable Environment; Championing Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion; Strengthening Interreligious Education; Fostering Multi-religious Collaboration and Global Partnerships) through multireligious collaboration at the local, national, regional and global level. Nominated women of faith and women-led initiatives must be affiliated with a Religions for Peace Interreligious Council, whether regional, national, or subnational. Members of the selection committee are not eligible for nomination for the award. Self-nominations are not accepted. The launch date for the Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award is set for 23 March 2023.

The submission process is detailed in the attached nomination packet (linked below). The final deadline for submission for this first round of awards is, 15 May 2023.

Evaluation and Selection

Award selection committee members will evaluate initiatives using established criteria based on which they will nominate one woman of faith or woman-led initiative from each region. Additionally, the selection committee will identify the overall winner, as well as the alternative first and second runners-up. The selection committee members will review the dossiers on women of faith initiatives collated by Religions for Peace International Secretariat. They will evaluate initiatives using established criteria which include active engagement and leadership of women of faith, concept novelty, strong multi-religious collaboration and effect on interfaith social cohesion.

Terms of Reference | Nomination Packet (PDF) | Nomination Packet (Word Document)

Read the Press Release.