Religions for Peace Announces Call for Nominations for the 2026 Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award

Around the world, women of faith play critical roles in advancing shared sacred flourishing. Religions for Peace announced today the opening of nominations for the Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action, an award created to honour women of faith who are driving transformative change through multi-religious collaboration and action.

“This award is a powerful reminder that the contributions of women of faith must be seen, valued, and sustained,” said Ms. Deepika Singh, Deputy Secretary General of Religions for Peace. “It is a call to recognise their leadership – not just in words, but in real action and investment.”

One of the first recipients of a Women of Excellence Award, Sister Agatha Ogochukwu Chikelue, said the awards help raise the visibility of the contributions of women of faith. Sister Agatha is chair of the Religions for Peace International Women’s Coordinating Committee and was recently acclaimed for her 30 years of religious profession.

“Women of faith are often the quiet architects of peace and social transformation,” she said. “Women are deeply rooted in communities and frequently deserve at the front lines of education, health care, humanitarian response, peace building, reconciliation, care for vulnerable people, and community development.

“Their faith gives them that moral courage, resilience, trust, and a strong sense of service. Religions for Peace recognizes that women of faith are often central to the work of religious institutions, while their contributions remain insufficiently recognized – this is why the Women of Excellence Award matters.”

Completed nomination packets must be received by Oct. 31, 2026, and can be completed online; the forms can also be downloaded and completed separately. Visit the 2026 Women of Faith in Multi-Religious Action Award page for further details.

Nominees must be a woman of faith who is a member of a Religions for Peace Interreligious Council or Chapter, Women of Faith Network, or Interfaith Youth Network. Individuals and/or Religions for Peace local or national chapters or regional inter-religious councils may nominate multiple women for the award.

The awards seek to increase recognition of women’s leadership in advancing the six Strategic Priorities of Religions for Peace at the grassroots level:

• Promoting Peaceful, Just & Inclusive Societies

• Advancing Gender Equality

• Nurturing a Sustainable Environment

• Championing Freedom of Thought, Conscience & Religion or Belief

• Strengthening Interreligious Education

• Fostering Multi-Religious Collaboration & Global Partnerships

“Evidence shows that supporting women and girls and advancing gender equality drives transformative benefits across all areas of society,” said Singh. “Higher levels of gender equality predict greater well-being among both women and men and contribute to greater human and Shared Sacred Flourishing for all.”

The 2025 recipients of the Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award were Madame Cissé Hadja Mariama Sow of Guinea; Grandmother Marie-Josée Tardif of Canada; and Ms. Nageeba Hassan Tegulwa of Uganda.

The 2024 recipients were Dr. Kezevino Aram of India, Co-Moderator, Religions for Peace and President of Shanti Ashram; Professor Dr. Nayla Tabbara of Lebanon, Co-President, Religions for Peace and Co-Founder of the Adyan Foundation; and Rev. Sr. Agatha Ogochukwu Chikelue of Nigeria, Executive Director of the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace.