Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper)- Renew Europe nominates Women Wage Peace and Women of the Sun for the Sakharov Prize, honouring their efforts for peace and empowerment.
The pro-European political group of the European Parliament, Renew Europe proposed Women Wage Peace & Women of the Sun as candidates for the European Parliament’s 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.Â
What is the Sakharov prize for freedom of thought?
Granted for the first time in 1988 to Nelson Mandela and Anatoli Marchenko, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the most elevated tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work. It gives honour to individuals, groups and organisations that have made an exceptional contribution to protecting freedom of thought. Through the prize and its associated network, the EU assists laureates, who are invested and empowered in their efforts to defend their causes.
The prize has so far been granted to dissidents, political leaders, journalists, lawyers, civil society activists, writers, mothers, wives, minority leaders, an anti-terrorist body, peace activists, an anti-torture activist, a cartoonist, extended-serving prisoners of conscience, a film-maker, the UN as a body and even a child campaigning for the right to education. It advances in particular freedom of expression, the rights of minorities, regard for international law, the development of democracy and the implementation of the rule of law.
How do women wage peace and women of the sun promote peace?
According to the group, the two feminist, pacifist, non-partisan movements strive to bring Israeli and Palestinian women together jointly to spread a call for peace and a strong message of hope. Dr. Yael Admi and Reem Hajajra are the countenances of these two movements advocating for stability and building bridges between people, regardless of borders or differences.
Renew Europe President ValĂ©rie Hayer MEP said, “Renew Europe’s choice to nominate these two organisations is a powerful marker of our commitment to building a peaceful solution in the region.”Â
“Through this candidacy, we honour women who show strength and tremendous courage every single day, advocating for peace, building bridges between people, and supporting women to claim their rightful place in society and conflict resolution,” added Sophie Wilmès MEP.
“Both organisations, guided by two courageous mothers and feminists, have been striving for exactly that, across borders, across backgrounds, fuelled by love and passion, and in the interest of future generations. They clearly should be the laureates of the Sakharov Prize 2024,” said Hilde Vautmans MEP.
