Nadiya Shafi, a video reporter from Srinagar, has won this year's ' Martha Farrell Award for Excellence in Women's Empowerment ', carrying a cash prize of Rs 1.50 lakh.
The award is in recognition of Nadiya's commitment towards gender equality and leading gender discussions clubs in her hometown defying patriarchal norms.
"The club comprises students, housewives, labourers, artisans, farmers citizens of Srinagar
and engages them in discussions about sexuality, patriarchy and gender inequality," said a release.
Nadiya is currently in the process of expanding these clubs to Shopian and Phulwama districts of southern Kashmir, which are some of the most disturbed areas of the decades-long armed and cross-border conflicts, the release said.
"I have only just scratched the surface in making them and people aware about the importance of being equal. This award will only make my resolve stronger to work towards this cause with even more conviction, Nadiya said after learning about her nomination for the award.
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Instituted in the memory of Dr. Martha Farrell, a prominent activist for gender equality and women's empowerment, the award is co-sponsored by Rizwan Adatia Foundation (RAF) and Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), and supported by Martha Farrell Foundation (MFF).
Martha was killed in Kabul in a terrorist attack in 2015, while leading a gender training workshop for the Aga Khan Foundation.
The 'best organisation for gender equality' award, also instituted in Martha's memory, went to Maharashtra-based Resource and Support Centre for Development (RSCD) for sustained efforts towards promoting inclusion of women in political processes across 30 districts of Maharashtra.
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