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Three candidates shortlisted for the 2024 Vigdís Prize for Women's Empowerment

Vigdís Prize for Women's Empowerment - Jury

The selection panel of the Vigdís Prize for Women's Empowerment, which rewards outstanding initiatives to promote the empowerment of women in all their diversity in Europe and beyond, has today announced the shortlist for the first ever edition of the Award.

Meeting in Reykjavík, the panel – made up of six independent members with recognised standing in the field of women’s empowerment and chaired by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Theodoros Rousopoulos – decided to shortlist the following three nominees, in alphabetical order:

Feminoteka Foundation (Poland)

The main area of Feminoteka’s activities is to support women survivors of gender-based violence. The organisation operates a helpline for women in such a situation, offering legal and psychological, therapeutic, or other support adapted to the needs of the victim. It also works to eliminate gender discrimination in all spheres of social, public and cultural life.

Irida Women's Center (Greece)

Irida Women’s Center is a grassroots NGO working to make positive change in the lives of women experiencing poverty, social exclusion and gender-based violence. Irida began its activity during the migration crisis in 2016, providong emergency support and creating safe spaces for women and children from over 50 countries.

Pascuala López López (Mexico)

Pascuala López López is a human rights defender from Ejido Cuxtitali El Pinar (San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas). Her work has been put at risk by the actions of an armed group that operates in her town. Following the murder of her son, she works for transformation of the lives of indigenous women, and to ensure equal access to justice and political participation.

Announcing the panel’s choice, the PACE President paid tribute to all 123 eligible candidacies received from all over the world. “To really empower women, we need to celebrate champions, role models and examples who can show women and girls that they are equal with men and can fulfil their potential in whatever role in society they choose to play,” he said.

The overall winner of the 2024 Prize is due to be announced at the opening of PACE’s Summer plenary session in Strasbourg on Monday 24 June. A joint initiative of the Icelandic government and PACE, the Prize pays tribute to former Icelandic President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the first woman in the world to be elected as head of state. It will be awarded for the first time this year and is worth €60,000.