Mother Teresa Award to Pakistani, Afghan women rights activists

November 30, 2012 - The Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice for 2012, has been conferred on 15-year old Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the Taliban, and Sima Samar of Afghanistan, a former Deputy President and Minister for Women's Affairs. The two were honoured on Wednesday in the western Indian city of Mumbai by the Harmony Foundation. Abraham Mathai, the president of Harmony Foundation said Yousafzai and Samar were chosen for their courage, for putting their lives on the line for an ideal. Yousufzai who is being treated in a hospital in Birgminghan, the UK, was shot in the head on Oct. 9 by a Muslim extremist for her commitment to women's rights. Sima Samar was recognised for her work in the field of women's rights, education and emancipation. The qualified medical doctor who served as Deputy President and then as Minister for Women's Affairs in Afghanistan’s interim government, is currently in charge of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC).
From Great Britain, Malala's father, Ziauddin Yousufzai, sent a touching letter on his daughter's behalf thanking the Harmony Foundation for the award. "This means a lot to us," he wrote, "especially during our time of crisis. Honouring Malala with this award sends out a strong message of support to those whose daughters have to fight and speak out for their basic right to education."
A special national awards were given to Nayyar Kuldeep, a famous Indian writer, for his contribution to India-Pakistan peace efforts; to Vinay Shetty, for furthering the cause of blood donation; Flavia Agnes, a lawyer, for her commitment to women's rights and fight against domestic violence; Gujarat police officer Sanjeev Bhatt, for his efforts in favour of communal dialogue; and the Shillong Chamber Choir for promoting national integration through music. The Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission was also recognised for its work towards empowerment of women.
Abraham Mathai founded Harmony Foundation in October 2005, to promote the idea of peace, dialogue and help for all communities without distinction of religion, caste, creed, gender or region. In 2007, the Foundation established the Mother Teresa Memorial International Awards for Social Justice in honour of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.