Messages of support
Selected Award Ceremonies 2006
Award ceremonies are organized in the country of origin of the Laureates and the nominating organization or individual usually convenes a local event and press conference for the transmittal of the WWSF prize money, certificate and badge sent by WWSF for the occasion. In Geneva, over the past 10 years, an annual Round table and Award panel was organized on 15 October, coinciding with celebrations marking World Rural Women's Day.
Such events are a unique opportunity for Laureates to present their work outside their countries to the public at large, to UN officials, NGOs, sponsors and the media to achieve visibility for their projects while speaking for all the rural women they represent. It is also an occasion for them to meet other Laureates, exchange experiences and forge partnerships and alliances. Example: A "Central American Forum for women's creativity in rural life" was launched by Laureate Gladys Caceres (Laureate 1997) who saw the need for a special annual Forum for Central American Laureates to meet regularly and discuss rural conditions and basic rights.
Waltraud Schwienbacher - ITALY
On 15 October 2006, Bozen, Italy, Waltraud Schwienbacher was honoured with the Prize by the inhabitants of her entire village and those of two neighbouring ones in the presence of the Mayor of Bozen and other local authorities, the President and CEO of the South Tyrolean Rural Women’s Organisation and by the WWSF representative, Ilse Moser.
She was recognized for her outstanding commitment to strengthen the best of traditional values, arts, crafts and lifestyles, while reminding people that they need to function in harmony with nature, not against it, and by doing so in an economically viable manner that enables the farmers of this mountainous region to keep their farms rather than wander off to the city for survival. The whole village came to celebrate and congratulate Waltraud.
Beverly Goll-Yekeson - LIBERIA
In Liberia, Laureate and President of the Liberia Crisis Center/Shelter for Abused women and children, Ms Beverly Goll-Yekeson, was honoured on 15 October with a cash donation of US$ 3000.-:
“…I am so excited about winning the prize. The money will be used to provide vocational and technical skills and basic literacy training, build the capacity of our alert team in 25 communities in the areas of counselling, a data base and filing system...”
Attending the award in Liberia on her behalf on 15 October were women of her Alert Team and Operations Director for Liberia Crisis Center, Ms Marayeh Fayneah, during the World Rural Women’s Day celebrations. Paying tribute to rural women and girls around the world, particularly Liberian women, she noted:
“…the protection of rural women and girls must also be at the center of all efforts to rebuild Liberia…”
Josiane Mulowsky - FRANCE
In France, Laureate Josiane Mulowsky was awarded her Prize on 17 October by the National Association Farre (Paris) that organized a ceremony in her honor in the presence of Jean-Jacques Mouline, Sous-Préfet de Vendôme, for her extraordinary commitment to preserve a menaced horse species, the “Percheron”, a descendant of crossbreeds of Arabian pure and local breeds, dating back to the Arabian invasion of Southern France in the 8th century. The Percheron is one of 14 menaced French breeds today. Josiane shared her joy and pride with WWSF.
Marta Prekpalaj - KOSOVO
In Kosovo, Laureate Marta Prekpalaj was honored on 15 October by local authorities and farmers for her untiring commitment to the advancement of rural communities in her country.
She linked with Serbian women and the Roma people during the war and became a role model for rural girls, working side by side with them, to reduce child marriage, dowries and lack of access to schools.
Angeline Mugwendere - ZIMBABWE
In Zimbabwe, Laureate Angeline Mugwendere, founder of the CAMA organization, was honoured for her efforts and commitment on 15 October, for doing outstanding work empowering rural girls and women.
Her award was widely celebrated and helped increase support for the organization.
