The awardees of the Irene Dankelman Award 2024

October 22^nd marked the first Irene Dankelman Young Ecofeminist Award Ceremony, which was held at the CBD COP16 in Cali, Colombia. The award was called into life to honour and amplify the transformative work that young ecofeminist leaders are doing every day in every corner of the globe to create a more gender- just and biodiverse planet for all.

Header photo: The awardees (c) Coenraad Krijger   

The award was inspired by the life and work of the late Irene Dankelman, a pioneer who had a profound belief that women have a vital leadership role in environment and biodiversity protection. Irene has supported the development of feminist movements globally. She was a former colleague at IUCN NL. The award was a joint effort by WECF, IUCN NL, WEDO, and Both ENDS.

Three women were awarded the prize this year, notably; Aprianti Nadila Selvanus (Nadila), based in Indonesia, Marie Christina Kolo, based in Madgascar and Daniela Soto Pito, a Colombia-based Indigenous human rights & environmental defender. The winners received a 5000 euro prize to continue their work.

During the award ceremony Maria-Noel Vaeza, Regional Director of UN Women for the Americas and the Caribbean, highlighted the violence faced by environmental frontline defenders, mostly women. Coenraad Krijger highlighted the importance of the Irene Dankelman Young Ecofeminist Award as a way to celebrate the inspiring work of young changemakers who are at the frontline of environmental protection and gender justice. ‘The award ceremony was a truly moving event, with both laureates demonstrating their inspirational leadership, speaking to and motivating a full lecture hall with many young women and men,’ says Krijger.

The challenging task of selecting the three awardees was entrusted to global ecofeminist leaders in the initiators network. They understand like no other the demands and challenges these women face. A member of Irene’s family also partook in the decision making.

How IUCN NL supports ecofeminists

IUCN NL strengthens women’s and youth participation in forest conservation and governance and promotes women’s rights and gender responsiveness in forest-related policies, from local to global. We do so by supporting women’s groups and networks who stand up to protect their territories from mining activities, oil developments, dam constructions, or deforestation. We do this, for example, through the Forests for a Just Future programme by the Green Livelihoods Alliance.