N-Peace Awards 2016: Recognising women in peacebuilding

Sumika Perera being congratulated by UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Una McCauley

The United Nations Development Program felicitated Sumika Perera recently at the United Nations Compound for her achievement as one of the nine winners of the N-Peace Awards for 2016, from over 100 nominations across seven countries in the Asia-Pacific region. 

N-Peace, or Engage for Equality, Access, Community and Empowerment, is a UNDP flagship initiative founded in commemoration of a decade’s implementation of UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. 

Launched in 2011, the N-Peace Awards recognise and profile women and men leaders and peacebuilders creating change at the grassroots to national levels in Asia. Coordinated by the N-Peace Network across Indonesia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, the Awards shine a light on women and men who demonstrate leadership in building peace and empowering their communities.

To recognise and showcase Perera’s achievements in the areas of women, peace and security, UNDP hosted a felicitation event recently. 

Speaking to the gathering, she stated: “This award is not just for me; it is for all the women out there who inspire other women. Such awards give us strength to continue the good work; to help and strengthen others who have been working in this field, especially at a grassroots level. “ 

Perera has been working closely with her community since her early 20s dedicating her life as a community worker. She has led many movements at the grassroots level speaking on behalf of farmers, labourers, and women in her community. She has over 25 years of experience in the field as a community worker and has worked in the women’s movement in Sri Lanka. At present, she works as a coordinator of the Women’s Resource Centre where she works at a grassroots level, focusing on human rights issues. 

Recognising her efforts, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Una McCauley stated: “Thank you to all the work you have done for women in communities. We at the UN admire and applaud your commitment towards peacebuilding in Sri Lanka.”

If you know of someone who is a champion in peace-building in your community, nominate them for the 2017 N-Peace Awards before the 15 May: http://n-peace.net/.

Nominees who meet the criteria will have their profiles shared online after which the public will be invited to cast their votes online. The top three candidates who receive the most votes from each category will be screened by a high-level panel of experts. The ones that meet the criteria the most will be the N-Peace Awardees for 2017.