Dr. Widad Akreyi Awarded in Italy
DEFEND INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE
Oslo-Florence, December 4, 2018 – Dr. Widad Akreyi was presented with the 2018 International Woman Harmony Award for devoting her life to defending human rights. The ceremony was held on November 23rd at Signorelli Theatre in Cortona.
Dr. Widad Akreyi, a multi award-winning peace-builder and co-founder of Defend International, was selected as the recipient of the 2018 International Simply Woman Harmony Award (Human Rights Award).
Dr. Widad received the award on Friday 23rd November, at 21:00, during a ceremony in Tuscany at Cortona’s Signorelli Theatre. The event was broadcasted by RTV 38.
The International Woman Harmony Award honours exemplary women who, despite the oppression and injustice they have endured, have played a pivotal role in promoting positive values in order to create positive change by spreading a culture of peace, solidarity, and respect for human rights – courageous women with a history of commitment, solidarity and fidelity to themselves and their ideals.
Dr. Widad‘s program included meetings with students of high- and secondary schools. Some events were open for public. The activities preceded the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which kicked off on November 25th until 10th December, the International Human Rights Day.
“It was an honour to receive this award,” said Dr. Widad following the ceremony. “My deep gratitude to Italy, to the Jury and the organising Committee.“
The announcement was made by the Award‘s executive committee on November 8th at the Sala Dei Grandi of the Provincial Council of Arezzo. Citing her achievements, the committee commended Widad‘s message of justice and respect for human rights, as well as her compassion and solidarity with the victims.
The sponsors of the Award include elite developers and highly respected professional companies. The patrons are the European Parliament, Sakharov Prize, the Italian Prime Minister, Tuscany Region, Tuscan Regional Council, Province of Arezzo, Municipality of Cortona, SOS Children’s Villages, Nicodemo Settembrini Foundation, Soroptimist Arezzo and Inner Wheel Arezzo. Media partners comprise of Rai Radio 1, RTV 38, QN LA Nazione, Radio Italia 5, Arezzo Notizie and Radio Arezzo.
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For further information and to arrange interviews with the Laureate, please contact media@defendinternational.org
ABOUT DR. WIDAD AKREYI
Dr. Widad is a preeminent peace-builder, humanitarian and human rights defender. A winner of several awards, the renowned champion of justice and gender equality has become a global voice for the voiceless, first and foremost the women and girls abducted, sold and enslaved in the Middle East. Originally from Kurdistan, Widad now lives in the West and holds a Master’s degree in genetics and a PhD in global health and cancer epidemiology. Not only has she been on the Executive Board of a variety of national and international organisations like Education for Global Peace, Women of Europe Award and Amnesty International, but she has also successfully advocated for the adoption of three international UN agreements (Arms Trade Treaty, Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, and a resolution Dedicated to Questions of Small Arms and Light Weapons) and served as ambassador of Stop Torture campaign and Stop Violence against Females campaign. Her historic novel, The Viking‘s Kurdish Love: A True Story of Zoroastrians Fight for Survival, is relevant to current events. For more information please visit Dr. Widad‘s website at widad.org
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL WOMAN HARMONY AWARD
The International Woman Harmony Award is awarded to counter all forms of violence against women.The laureates are protagonists who have marked the contemporary history with their actions and have exemplified a strong commitment to spread their message of peace, solidarity, social and civil rights.
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