We are very glad to be honored with such prize: Sunita Danuwar

KATHMANDU, Nepal-Shakti Samuha, a group that fights against human trafficking and helped rebuild the lives of thousands of trafficked and abused women has won famous Magsaysay award this year.

The award from the Manila-based Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) is Asia’s highest honour and is widely regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.

‘We are very glad to be honored with such prize. It is the first occasion that any oraganization in Nepal bagged with Asian level international prize,’ Mrs. Sunita Danuwar, president of Shakti Samuha told to Nepal Mountain Focus after getting the honor. Danuwar further said that her organization felt more responsibility in serving women and girl who have survived from trafficking and excluded by society . Danur further informed that the prize would be utilized for the further efficiency of the organization (Shakti Samuha).

Shakti Samuha is the first organization to be set up and run by survivors of trafficking in Nepal.

‘The organization’s founders and members are being recognized for transforming their lives in service to other human trafficking survivors, their passionate dedication towards rooting out a pernicious social evil in Nepal,’ RMAF said in a press statement .

It also said that the members of Shakti Samuha showed bright example to the world in reviving the human dignity that is the birthright of all abused women and children everywhere.

Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honor and is widely regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.  It celebrates the memory and leadership example of the third Philippine president.

The prize is offered each year to individuals or organizations in Asia who manifest the same sense of selfless service that ruled the life of the late and beloved Filipino leader. The formal conferment of the Ramon Magsaysay Awards will be held at the Cultural Centre of the Philippines on August 31. The award carries a purse of $50,000.

Four other Nepalis Mahesh Chandra Regmi (1977), Bharat Dutta Koirala (2002), Dr Sanduk Ruit (2006), Mahabir Pun (2007) have already won the award.

Hoping that it would get support and cooperation against human trafficking, in Nepal as well as in the international level, the foundation thanked all the members, supporters and well-wishers.

The awards established in 1957 celebrate the leadership qualities of the third Philippine president and is given every year to individuals or organisations in Asia, who manifest the same sense of selfless service that ruled the life of the late Filipino leader.

Along with Shakti Samuha, Ernesto Domingo of Philippines, Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (Corruption Eradication Commission) from Indonesia and Lahpai Seng Raw from Myanmar were honored with the prize. Likewise, Afghanistan’s first woman governor was also honored with the prize for ‘her bold exercise of leadership to build up a functioning provincial government against great odds.’