Hillary Clinton, Georgetown Honor HRH The Countess of Wessex, Ukraine’s First Lady and Women’s Rights Trailblazers
A blog post from The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace & Security (GIWPS) presented the annual Hillary Rodham Clinton awards to First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, HRH The Countess of Wessex and Ukrainian women’s rights advocates in a December 5 ceremony on campus.
The GIWPS Hillary Rodham Clinton awards — named for the institute’s honorary founding chair — are bestowed annually for exceptional leadership in advancing women’s rights and creating a more peaceful and secure world for all.
Other 2022 awardees include Kateryna Levchenko, government commissioner for gender equality policy; Natalia Karbowska, director on strategic development for the Ukrainian Women’s Fund; and Oleksandra Matviychuk, human rights lawyer and chair of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Center for Civil Liberties.
“There has been a bright spotlight that is shining right here from Georgetown about what is going on — the advances and the setbacks when it comes to women’s equality and empowerment and engagement,” said Clinton of the annual honors.
GIWPS, led by Executive Director Ambassador Melanne Verveer, also leads cutting edge research, convenes agenda-setting events and symposia and advances global policy through efforts like their Onward for Afghan Women initiative and the Women, Peace and Security Index. The HRC awards are an opportunity to highlight the women and individuals who are leading government and grassroots efforts to advance women’s rights around the globe.
“This is a special opportunity for our community to recognize the leadership of five incredible honorees, women who have demonstrated a deep commitment to protecting and empowering the voices of women,” said Georgetown President John J. DeGioia.
“Please let me express gratitude and share this award with every Ukrainian woman and man who defends the right to peace.”
— Olena Zelenska
Zelenska was honored for her tireless efforts to rally the world to support Ukraine and its struggle for freedom, democracy and its very existence. She was also recognized for her work in support of the well-being of Ukraine’s children and addressing widespread needs related to mental health, domestic violence and humanitarian assistance through her foundation and platforms.
“Women peacebuilders across the globe let nothing stand in their way in order to seek ways of resolving conflict and building sustainable peace.”
— The Countess of Wessex
HRH The Countess of Wessex was presented with yesterday’s award for her commitment to spotlight the need of survivors in conflict zones and shine a light on ending sexual violence in war. Her Royal Highness accepted the award to raise public awareness of this critical issue and the survivors.
“Ukrainian women are in the forefront of this battle because bravery has no gender.”
— Oleksandra Matviychuk
Oleksandra Matviychuk, a human rights lawyer and recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, was honored for her work documenting atrocities in the conflict.
“We know the solutions. We just need platforms for us to present these solutions.”
— Natalia Karbowska
Natalia Karbowska was honored for her tireless efforts to support women and children through humanitarian assistance, grassroots activism and advocacy and creating and enabling a self-reliant and democratic civil society in Ukraine.
“The award gives me the feeling that I have to continue my work to promote women’s rights, defend women’s rights and work with my partners from government organizations and the international community.”
— Kateryna Levchenko
Kateryna Levchenko was honored for her trailblazing leadership in accelerating progress for women and girls in all aspects of Ukrainian society, working through government policies for women’s full and meaningful participation in the economy and political life of the country.
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