Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Dec 10: Kashmiri social activist Omar Hafiz has been recognized as one of the awardees for the 2024 WISCOMP (Women in Security, Conflict Management, and Peace) Saahas Awards.
The WISCOMP awards acknowledge institutional and societal change-makers for their exemplary work in promoting gender equality and justice in South Asia.
This year, Kashmiri social activist Omar Hafiz received the Saahas Chetna Award for his dedication to empowering marginalized communities, especially transgender individuals.
Details Available with Kashmir Despatch About the Awardees Recognized by the WISCOMP Saahas Awards
The awards jury comprises distinguished experts, including:
Ambassador Shyam Saran (Jury Chair) : Former Foreign Secretary of India and an advocate for various international initiatives.
Ambassador Gautam Mukhopadhaya : Senior Visiting Fellow and former Indian Ambassador to multiple nations.
Honorable Gita Mittal : Former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir and a champion of gender training for judges.
Krishna Menon : Professor and former Dean with notable contributions to gender and political studies.
Susan Ferguson : Country Representative for UN Women in India with extensive expertise in gender and development.
Poonam Muttreja : Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India, with significant experience in social justice.
2024 Awardees
The awards for 2024 include:
Saahas Shakti Award :
An anonymous Afghan woman advocating for gender equality and peacebuilding in Afghanistan.
Laxmi Chetri from Assam, India, known for her grassroots work with domestic violence survivors.
An anonymous social activist from Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, empowering women and girls in refugee camps.
Deepa Pawar from Maharashtra, India, founder of the Anubhuti Trust, advocating for marginalized communities.
Saahas-e-Azim Award :
Saeeda Diep from Pakistan, focusing on the rights of religious minorities.
Ruchira Gupta from India, a journalist and activist against sex trafficking.
Mossarat Qadeem from Pakistan, known for preventing violent extremism.
Beena Sarwar from Pakistan, a journalist facilitating dialogue and advocating for gender equality.
Saahas Mashal Award :
Conflict Victim Women National Network (CVWNN) from Nepal, advocating for women affected by conflict.
Saahas Shreshtha Award :
Patricia Mukhim from Shillong, India, a journalist recognized for her advocacy for gender equality and communal harmony.
Pertinently, the WISCOMP Saahas Awards aim to:
– Celebrate the efforts of individuals who stand up against adversity, demonstrating resilience and initiative;
– Acknowledge the contributions of those who typically remain out of the public spotlight; and
– Foster intergenerational synergy by recognizing young changemakers and veterans who’ve tirelessly worked on gender justice.
WISCOMP Saahas Awards 2024
The 2024 WISCOMP Saahas Awards honored those who have demonstrated resilience and initiative in fostering a culture of peace and non-violence in the South Asian region. This year’s ceremony is particularly significant as WISCOMP celebrates 25 years of promoting women’s leadership in peace and security.
These awards are inclusive and open to women, men, and LGBTQIA+ individuals from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, faith persuasions, and those with disabilities.
A jury composed of eminent civil society members and gender experts screens and reviews the applications to select the awardees.
The work of these honorees is disseminated widely through various channels, including online platforms and print media.
The organization, while sharing more details, stated that interested individuals and organizations that align with the four pillars of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Gender, Peace, and Security—Participation, Protection, Prevention, and Relief and Recovery—were encouraged to apply. Areas of focus include gender-based violence interventions, trauma healing, dialogue and reconciliation, peace education initiatives, and rehabilitation of displaced women.
Applications were invited in two categories: individuals—such as practitioners, media personnel, educators, youth leaders, and civil society members—and organizations focused on gender, peace, and security in conflict-affected regions throughout South Asia. The call for applications utilized a wide range of platforms to ensure inclusivity and reach.
Over 50 applications were received from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, covering diverse issues and methods from various conflict contexts.
