Mon Dec 16 19:36:35 UTC 2024: ## Local Peacebuilders Honored at WISCOMP Awards Ceremony
**New Delhi, December 17, 2024** – The Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace (WISCOMP) organization celebrated ten South Asian peacebuilders at an awards ceremony held Monday at the India International Centre. The recipients were recognized for their work promoting peace and empowering women in conflict zones.
The distinguished jury included former Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, senior fellow Gautam Mukhopadhyay, former Chief Justice Gita Mittal, professor Krishna Menon, Poonam Muttreja, and UN Women country representative Susan Reguson.
Patricia Mukhim, Editor of The Shillong Times, received the Saahas Shrestha: Shero of Courage award for her significant contributions to peacebuilding in India’s Northeast. Ms. Mukhim emphasized the importance of proactive peacebuilding initiatives during periods of stability, rather than solely reacting to conflicts.
Other awardees included Assam-based activist Laxmi Chetri (working against gender-based violence in Bodoland), Kashmir activist Omar Hafiz (supporting women and transgender individuals), and journalist and activist Ruchira Gupta (advocating for trafficking survivors). Ms. Gupta poignantly expressed her hope to end the trafficking of women, citing the alarming situation in some regions of Nepal. The ceremony highlighted the critical role of women in peacebuilding across South Asia.
First Piper 