Annapurna Activists Prize

Announce the annual Annapurna Activists Award, to be awarded to a Nepali citizen working to end the sexual exploitation of Nepali women & girls.

Applications for 2008 will be accepted starting January 1.

The recipient of the first annual Annapurna Activists Award has been decided! CD and NWGN are pleased to announce that the winner is Malabika Das.
Read more about Ms. Das here.

In every society there are those who help alleviate pain and suffering by refusing to be blind to the world around them. It is these individuals who critically evaluate their environment to discover the systematic and systemic problems built into the structure that arranges our every day lives. By critically evaluating the world around them and discovering the underlying sources of social problems, these individuals are able to uncover means of managing those problems, inventing solutions, and implementing changes. The first step in changing social policy is the recognition of a situation that is both unfair to part of the population and structurally, if not openly, supported by society. Recognizing these injustices often breeds in an individual a fervent belief that something can and must be done.

The Annapurna Activist Award is given in honor of NWGN’s founder Annapurna Deo’s lifetime work on behalf of Nepali women and children. This U.S. $1,000 award, funded by Captive Daughters, will be given annually to a Nepali individual who has made outstanding contributions toward increasing awareness, promoting education and securing rights for women and children in Nepal. We seek to honor those working towards ending the suffering of Nepali women and children who are trafficked into sexual slavery throughout the world.

Our Purpose: To increase attention, inspire and honor a Nepali activist who has succeeded in securing rights for Nepali women and children, including highlighting the effects of sex trafficking.

Nominee Eligibility

Nominees must be:
• An individual (organizations are not eligible). This may include victims of trafficking, students, teachers, journalists, authors, attorneys, policy makers, legislators, physicians, social workers, law enforcement, community workers, political leaders etc.
• Nepali heritage
• Must have a demonstrated interest in issues regarding women and children’s rights such as the physical, emotional, and structural socio-economic effects of sex trafficking in Nepal and worldwide.
• Nomination material should emphasize the individual’s current accomplishment rather than future goals

Nomination Process

Activists may nominate themselves for this award or be nominated by another individual. In either case, the following documentation is required.

1. Completed application form DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE
2. Statement of Activism - The statement should be at least 500 words but not to exceed 1000 words and should cite the reasons the Nominee deserves to be awarded the Annapurna Activist Award.
3. Three Letters of Support that authenticate the cited activism

Applications should be in English. Once the nomination has been received, NWGN/CD may require additional support material. NWGN/CD will contact the nominee directly for this information.

Preferably all nomination forms including application, letters of support and statement of activism should be sent via email to NWGN President Bidya Ranjeet at bidyaranjeet@yahoo.com. If email is unavailable and forms need to be sent in hard copy through the mail – all forms, including any additional documentation, should be sent to:

Captive Daughters/NWGN
3500 Overland Avenue - #110-108
Los Angeles, CA 90034-5696
USA

All application materials must be postmarked by June 12, 2008. The honored awardee selection is final once Captive Daughters and NWGN have made their decision.

The Annapurna Award is funded by Captive Daughters. The Captive Daughters organization is committed to ending the exploitative practice of sex trafficking through education, awareness, and activism building.