{"id":245160,"date":"2024-11-12T16:05:14","date_gmt":"2024-11-12T15:05:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=245160"},"modified":"2025-01-21T15:12:44","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T14:12:44","slug":"the-awardees-of-the-irene-dankelman-award-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/the-awardees-of-the-irene-dankelman-award-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"The awardees of the Irene Dankelman Award 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"
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October 22nd<\/sup> 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.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Header photo: The awardees (c) Coenraad Krijger <\/em>  <\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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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<\/a>, IUCN NL, WEDO<\/a>, and Both ENDS<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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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. \u2018The 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,\u2019 says Krijger.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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The 2024 Irene Dankelman Awardees<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Daniela Soto Pito<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Daniela Soto Pito, is a Colombia-based Indigenous human rights & environmental defender from the Nasa Community. Daniela is involved in the Network of Young Peace Builders of Mi Sangre Foundation<\/a> and has coordinated an UN Women youth project. Daniela is also a member of the Women\u2019s Programme of the Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca (CRIC<\/a>), where she coordinates a youth programme. Currently, she is supporting political processes within the CRIC aiming to defend life and land, and a traditional governer (Ne\u2019jwesx) within her community. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Aprianti Nadila Selvanus<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Aprianti Nadila Selvanus (Nadila), based in Indonesia, has exerted many ecofeminist efforts in influencing local\/regional policy, improving the livelihood of 500 villagers, and plays a critical role as spokesperson for women impacted by natural resource threats in her local village council. Nadila\u2019s work contributed to securing local water infrastructure repairs, supporting fish conservation efforts, and participating in community activism for women and girls. Nadila also identifies as an activist housewife and is a key member of the Badan Perwakilan Desa (BPD) Village Council in West Kalimantan.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Marie Christina Kolo<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Marie Christina Kolo, based in Madagascar, founded several key ecofeminist initiatives supporting women and young people. These include Ecofeminism Madagascar<\/em>, an online platform about the intersection of gender-based violence and climate change, Green n Kool<\/em>, an eco-friendly social enterprise<\/a> mobilizing young people to act for climate\/gender issues, and Women Break the Silence<\/em><\/a> to combat rape culture and support survivors. Marie Christina also built the Eco-feminist Hub<\/em>, a community space for activists, researchers and community members in Madagascar.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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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\u2019s family also partook in the decision making.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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How IUCN NL supports ecofeminists<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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IUCN NL strengthens women\u2019s 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\u2019s 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<\/a> programme by the Green Livelihoods Alliance. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Read more about our work for women\u2019s rights<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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