Berta Cáceres, renowned Lenca indigenous leader and defender, fought for the rights of indigenous people in Honduras. She defended land, rivers and nature from exploitative industries while also advocating for the rights of the most marginalized people in Mesoamerica. For this, she was assassinated. Nobel Women’s Initiative stands with local activists continuing to demand justice for Berta.
Between 30 June and 2 July, 2024, the UN held the third round of Doha meetings on Afghanistan. Representatives from over 25 countries and the Taliban were present. However, at the Taliban’s request, Afghan women and civil society were excluded from official meetings.
On 18 June, 2023, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Iranian women’s and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi was sentenced to an additional year in Iran’s notorious Evin prison for alleged propaganda activities against the regime.
A letter from Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi to Dennis Francis, President of the United Nations General Assembly, and António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations.
For almost three decades, the DRC has been embroiled in a complicated conflict. Over 6 million people have been killed and 7 million displaced. On Friday, 3 May 2024, camps for displaced people in Goma, North Kivu province were targeted in twin bomb attacks, killing 35 people and injuring many more. The situation is rapidly deteriorating, and for women in particular, no place is safe.
Overshadowed by escalating conflict in the Middle East, Iran has intensified its use of capital punishment against political and human rights activists and opponents of the Islamic Republic’s Regime. On average, one person a day is executed in Iran on trumped up drug-related or vague religious infringement charges.
Away from the global spotlight, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Since 1996, the country has been embroiled in a complicated conflict, which is yet again escalating.
On 25 March, 2024 the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2728 calling for an immediate ceasefire during the month of Ramadan, the urgent release of hostages, and humanitarian access to Gaza. This is the fifth attempt by the Security Council to pass a resolution on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas; three previous attempts were vetoed by the United States, who abstained on this occasion.
On March 8th, I congratulate all of you. I hope that in the coming year, we will witness better conditions for all women around the world.
Nobel Women’s Initiative (NWI) is proud to announce that 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi from Iran has joined NWI. She joins Shirin Ebadi (Iran), Jody Williams (USA), Tawakkol Karman (Yemen), Leymah Gbowee (Liberia), Maria Ressa (Phillipines) and Rigoberta Menchu Tum (Guatemala). At NWI the laureates work together to elevate the voices and support the work of women peace activists around the globe.
A statement by five women Nobel Peace Prize laureates and Nobel Women’s Initiative
October 12, 2023
As Nobel Peace Prize laureates united in our commitment to peace, freedom, and justice, we unequivocally condemn all harm and attacks on civilians. We denounce the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel and call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a negotiated settlement of the crisis before it grows and engulfs the region.
October 13, 2023
Presidential elections were held in Guatemala in the summer of 2023 with anti-corruption candidate Bernardo Arévalo being confirmed as the President elect with 58% of the vote. However, the outgoing government have refused to accept the results and are attempting to hold on to power. In response, indigenous and peasant women, urban, social and student movements have taken to the streets in peaceful protest demanding that results of the election are upheld, and a full transition of power ensured.