The Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Awards

The Recipients of the 2025 Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award

Religions for Peace is delighted to announce the 2025 recipients of the Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award: Madame Cissé Hadja Mariama Sow of Guinea; Grandmother Marie-Josée Tardif of Canada; and Ms. Nageeba Hassan Tegulwa of Uganda.

The recipients were chosen from 10 finalists, which a review committee had identified from a broad pool of nominees. A panel of distinguished judges then made final selections.

The caliber of the 2025 finalists reflects a global movement of women who are not only dismantling barriers but building a more inclusive future with unmatched excellence and dedication. Religions for Peace received nominations following an open call; a reviewing committee with members of diverse faith traditions identified the finalists; and the selection committee chose from among the finalists.

This Year's Nominees

Women of faith are the backbone of religious institutions worldwide, yet their leadership often remains obscured. To address this, Religions for Peace, with the generous support of the Gates Foundation and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, is proud to announce the second edition of the Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award. This initiative is dedicated to highlighting the vital contributions of women leaders who are driving progress in human rights, peace and security, and sustainable development. We received 10 nominations for this year’s award from around the world, who appear below. Each is a Woman of Excellence in her own right – and we congratulate all the nominees.

Event & Recognition

The prestigious award ceremony will take place in New York on 17 March 2026, held as a parallel event to the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). By aligning with CSW70, we aim to raise the profile of our awardees on the global stage, enabling them to secure new partnerships and allowing the international community to learn from their resilience and community impact.

The Selection Process & Prizes

The Religions for Peace International Secretariat has reviewed a global pool of nominees, selecting 19 distinguished women of faith leaders for this second edition. The program will honour a grand prize winner along with a first and second runner-up.

Impact Grants: Recipients will receive a cash prize specifically intended to scale their grassroots initiatives and deepen their engagement with Interreligious Councils (IRCs).
Global Media Campaign: Beyond the ceremony, all 19 nominees will be featured in a global campaign to amplify their stories and advocate for gender equality in religious spaces.

Strengthening the Network

This award is more than a one-time recognition; it is a catalyst for institutional growth. Awardees will serve as strategic trainers and mentors, sharing best practices and documented methodologies across our global movement. By collating these diverse initiatives, Religions for Peace is building a permanent archive of the rich, multi-religious contributions women make to our shared sacred flourishing.

Last Year’s Winners

In 2024, the first Religions for Peace Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award honored five women of faith whose work has had a profound impact at the national and global levels (two of the five received certificates rather than a formal award).

These Women of Excellence have demonstrated exceptional leadership, resilience, and dedication in their respective fields, advancing gender equality and driving social change through multi-religious collaboration and action. Their experiences serve as a powerful testament to the significance of this initiative and underscore the need for continued support and recognition of women’s contributions in laying the foundations for shared human flourishing.

After receiving nearly 100 nominations from across the world, the winners of the inaugural Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award were: Dr. Kezevino Aram, Co-Moderator, Religions for Peace; President, Shanti Ashram; Professor Dr. Nayla Tabbara, Co-President, Religions for Peace; Co-Founder, Adyan Foundation; and Rev. Sr. Agatha Ogochukwu Chikelue, Chair, Religions for Peace International Women’s Coordinating Committee (IWCC); Executive Director, Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP).

Hailing from diverse regions and religious backgrounds, these extraordinary leaders have demonstrated exemplary dedication to fostering dialogue, social justice, and community-building. Their stories are a testament to the positive impact that women of faith can have on achieving shared sacred flourishing for all.

Two other women were honored with certificates. Melody Amal Khalil Kabalan’s active interfaith work is dedicated to creating spaces for women in Jewish and Muslim communities in Argentina, while Laura Vargas, a former nun, is a leader in Peru both for the bishops’ conference and for the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative.