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Human Rights Awards Winners 2009

A picture of the Human Rights Award winners in the House of Lords

This year's formidable award winners received their awards on Monday 7th December in the River Room, House of Lords. The awards were presented by Channel 4 news anchorwoman Samira Ahmed, and BBC World Correspondent Mike Wooldridge.

Award for the Defence of the Human Rights of Women

The Extractivist Women's Secretariat, Brazil

The Secretariat works to defend the rights and interests of women working in the extractivist reserves of the Amazon forest.
Their Forest Women’s Baggage project reaches even the most isolated Amazon communities in order to provide education about the female body, reproductive health, family planning, and HIV prevention.
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Award for the Defence of the Human Rights of Children

Agence Evangélique de Développement du Mali

Children at desks in an African classroom

The team at AEDM are staunchly committed to securing the health, well-being and future potential of children in the Circle of Koro in Mali.
Their vibrant, 3-fold programme is based on a simple premise: what child can live without food, education, and a strong family to look after them?
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Award for the Defence of the Human Right to
Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare

Instituto PAPAI, Brazil

Instituto PAPAI are pioneers, challenging the machismo of Brazilian society by promoting public policy that aims to abolish gender inequality. They are the first NGO in Latin America to work with men and boys from the perspective of gender and engage them in the fight for gender equality.
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Award for the Defence of the Human Rights of Disabled People

Rima Canawati, Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation

A woman holding two children who have disabilities

Rima dedicates her professional life to the needs of disabled people throughout Palestine. She lost her own sight completely in her teenage years, but has overcome this disability and is now Director of Programme Development at the Bethlehem Arab Society for Rehabilitation. Rima supervises the work of 5 day care centres which provide children with rehabilitation and special education.
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Award for the Global Defence of Human Rights

Dr Shirin Ebadi, Iran

Dr Shirin Ebadi was awarded the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts
to promote human rights. She is the first Muslim woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. She has also established many non-governmental organizations in Iran, including the Million Signatures Campaign: a campaign demanding an end to legal discrimination against women in Iranian law.
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