French award for activist
A FIJIAN lass has had her name etched in the history books after securing the coveted Simone Veil Prize for Gender Equality in Paris, France.
Komal Kumar, an activist in climate change, ethics, feminism and politics, was awarded the prize by the French Embassy on March 9 last year.
After receiving her award, she said she was humbled and grateful for the recognition.
“It was delightful and exciting to have met with the jury in person and getting to know more about how the selection was made, why a young woman from the Pacific was selected and sharing my plans on the utilisation of the funds,” she said.
“We got to talk more about the role of young women and men in reducing gender inequalities, ocean sustainability and health and the upcoming COP28 engagements and priorities.
“The major highlights of my trip was of course receiving the award in person and bringing it home with me. The cultural tour around Paris, visiting the many museums and Versailles Castle and getting to know more about French history was a great learning experience.”
She said she also had the opportunity to visit the French Senate and get a tour of the place. She also met students from the Paris Institute of International Affairs.
“It is very crucial that we empower and involve more women, not just women but both young women and men so we are able to break the gender norms and discrimination.
“Gender inequality cannot be broken by women alone but by making sure that we are able to change the mindset of women and men alike. At present, what we see is that the leadership spaces within the space of climate change is mostly occupied by male leaders.”
Ms Kumar said there was a need for more support and resources to be able to influence and motivate women.
She said it was vital for women to not just be involved at an advocacy level, but at the leadership level as well.
In conferring his congratulations, French Ambassador to Fiji François-Xavier Léger said the prize was awarded each year on International Women’s Day.
Its intent was to draw attention towards efforts in promoting women’s autonomy, education and participation in leadership roles.
“It is part of a global policy of feminist diplomacy chosen by the French President to promote promising projects led by women throughout the world.
“Unfortunately, Komal could not travel to receive her award last year but we are very happy that she managed to do so this year. This is also a testament to her dedication and hard work in this sphere.”
The award is named after Simone Veil, a French survivor of the Holocaust and pioneer in the French government and European Union.
She was the key force behind the decriminalisation of abortion in France and was voted into the Académie Française, the sixth woman to join the “Immortals”.