Shawana Shah, a 23-year-old girl from Peshawar, has won the Mohammad Ali Humanitarian Award 2016.
Shawana Shah received the award for work to end gender-based violence in Pakistan and supporting women to fight for their rights.
Shah is the president of Working Women Union in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and general secretary of Da HawwaLur, a non-government organisation.
She is the youngest and the only Asian to have won this award.
Shawana Shah established the Da HawwaLur, which is aimed at ending gender-based violence, providing free legal and psychological support to victims of gender-based violence, enhancing women leadership, and promoting peace. She also established the Working Women Union in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which provides 300 women, home-based and domestic workers a platform to fight for their rights.
Speaking on the occasion, Shawana Shah said she was honoured to receive the award. “This award is a recognition of all the women for whom I work. I have an unshakeable belief that women can be the greatest leaders, peace builders and can bring positive change in their respective communities,” she said. She added that she was blessed with a supportive family particularly her father, who always supported her.
