Women-Led Hyderabad Organisation wins 5th Martha Farrell Award (2021)

Hyderabad, November 28, 2021: Women-led, Hyderabad-based organisation Shaheen Women’s Resource and Welfare Association has been honoured with the 5th Martha Farrell Award (2021) for its commitment and efforts towards the cause of women's rights and communal harmony in the southern parts of India. 

The non-profit organisation has won the award in the “Best Organisation for Gender Equality” category and was also conferred with a cash prize of INR 1,50,000 for their continued efforts in societal transformation. 

The award ceremony was hosted by Martha Farrell Foundation, Participatory Research in Asia, and Rural Development Trust, on 20th November 2021 in New Delhi.

“We believe in gender equality and a comprehensive approach to cultural and political change. Empowering women is the basis of our work. We work with women from marginalised communities and would like to wipe out the patriarchy and poverty from the face of the earth. The prestigious Martha Farrell Award has given us recognition, strength, and encouragement to fulfil our dream of equality.“ said Shaheen Women’s Resource and Welfare Association Spokesperson.

Shaheen Women’s Resource and Welfare Association (also known as Shaheen), established and registered in 2002, is a women-led, grassroots-level organisation based in the heart of Old City, Hyderabad. Shaheen works in gender sensitisation which includes; psycho-social and legal support for survivors of domestic violence, door-to-door community mobilisation and awareness sessions on gender-based violence, leadership training for young girls, and preventing child marriages. Advocacy on women’s rights against gender-based violence with the police, the District Legal Services Authority, and Local Complaints Committees is also an important feature of Shaheen’s work.

Martha Farrell awards were instituted in 2016 to honour Dr. Martha Farrell’s memory, a prominent activist for gender equality and women’s empowerment, who was killed in Kabul (Afghanistan) in a terrorist attack in 2015 while leading a gender training workshop for the Aga Khan Foundation. The Martha Farrell Award for Excellence in Women’s Empowerment takes forward her ideals and principles. Previous winners of the award include; Rural and Environment Development Society (2020), Andhra Pradesh, Mahila Jan Adhikar Samiti (2019), Rajasthan, and Resource and Support Center for development (2018), Maharashtra. 

A total of 120 nominations were received this year, which were carefully reviewed for merit by a six-member jury comprising eminent jurists, women’s rights proponents, filmmakers, and social activists.