International Award Named After UNFPA Executive Director

UNITED NATIONS, New York—An international award that promotes women’s health and rights has been named after the Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. The 2008 International Award for the Health and Dignity of Women now carries the name of Thoraya Ahmed Obaid who, according to Americans for UNFPA, the award presenter, “has emphasized the importance of women’s health initiatives that emerge from within a society, shaped by people’s cultural values and religious beliefs”.

The international award raises awareness within the United States of the problems that women face worldwide, and honours women fighting these problems. It goes to women who have made exemplary contributions to women’s health and rights.

This year’s award went to women activists from Madagascar, Mexico and Nepal, who have helped make a difference in the lives of women in their communities.

“When you empower a woman, you change the world,” said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during the awards ceremony that took place in New York last week. “This is what UNFPA does so well by striving for maternal health and gender equality. And in so doing, it saves precious lives at risk because too many women live in societies where maternity wards have inadequate medical equipment, or where there is no maternity ward at all.”

"Let me add my personal tribute to Dr. Thoraya Obaid for her courage and leadership at the helm of UNFPA," continued Mr. Ban, adding that "she is an inspiration" whom he had asked to serve for two more years as head of UNFPA. "Let me assure all of you of my profound and unwavering commitment to the empowerment of women. I will keep making this a priority for the United Nations family," he concluded.

Thanking the Secretary-General and Americans for UNFPA, Ms. Obaid dedicated the new award to the memory of her parents.