Pioneering women win top UNHCR awards for life-changing work

This year’s winner of the United Nations refugee agency’s global award, Sister Rosita Milesi, is a Brazilian nun, lawyer, social worker and movement builder who fought for human rights and dignity. price of migrants for nearly 40 years. Four others were named regional winners.

“Women often face high risks of discrimination and violence, especially when forced to flee,” speak UNHCR Filippo Grandi.

“But these five winners show how women are also playing a vital role in the humanitarian response and finding solutions,” he emphasized.

Mr. Grandi praised their dedication to promoting action in their own communities, building grassroots support and even shaping national policies.

Rosita has personally assisted thousands of people who were forced to leave their homes or are looking for new opportunities – helping them access legal documents, shelter, food, health care, language training and access to the labor market in Brazil.

As a lawyer, she also had an important role in shaping public policy, the refugee agency said.

For example, her work on Brazil’s 1997 refugee law helped advance refugee rights in line with the 1984 Cartagena Refugee Declaration, ensuring that it would do more to protect , including and empowering forced migrants within the Central American region, in accordance with international standards.

A life of dedication

“I decided to dedicate myself to migrants and refugees. I am inspired by the growing need to help, welcome and integrate refugees,” said Sister Rosita, 79 years old.

“I’m not afraid to take action, even if we don’t get everything we want. If I take on something, I will turn the world upside down to make it happen,” she added.

Regional winner

Maimouna Ba, regional winner from Africa this year, is an activist from Burkina Faso. She has helped more than 100 displaced children return to the classroom and put more than 400 displaced women on the path to financial independence.

Meanwhile, Jin Davod, winner from Europedrew on her own experiences as a Syrian refugee to build an online platform connecting thousands of trauma survivors with licensed therapists providing free mental health support .

Sudanese refugees Nada Fadol, winner from the Middle East and North Africa regionmobilized essential aid for hundreds of refugee families fleeing to Egypt in search of safety.

Final, Deepti Gurung, Asia-Pacific region winnercampaigned for reform of Nepal’s citizenship laws after learning that her two daughters had become stateless – opening a path to citizenship for them and thousands of others in similar situations.

the The people of Moldova will also be honored for serving as a beacon of humanity. Putting their economic challenges aside, they quickly transformed schools, community spaces and homes into shelters for more than a million people fleeing the war in Ukraine.