Melbourne (Chindwin) : Wai Wai Nu – a Myanmar human rights activist- has won the International DVF (Diane von Furstenberg) Award, presented on 18 November at the Opera Garnier in Paris, France.
After spending seven years in prison and her family, Wai Wai Nu and her entire family were released in 2012 under the amnesty for political prisoners by then-President U Thein Sein. Miss Wai Wai Nu is the founder and the Executive Director of the Women’s Peace Network in Myanmar – an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of oppressed minority groups in Myanmar.
It is learned that Nu has spoken at various international organizations such as the United Nations and Oslo Freedom Forum, with her being invited to the United States White House and Congress multiple times.
Prior to this DVF Award, Nu first received her first international award known as the N – Peace Award in 2014, continued to be named one of the Top 100 Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy Magazine and became Salt and Diageo’s 100 Inspiring Women by Salt Magazine in 2016. Time magazine had named Miss Nu as one of the Next Generation Leaders in 2017. Also, she received the Hillary Clinton Award from Georgetown University in 2018.
On receiving this DVF Award, Miss Nu Tweeted on 17 November, “I am truly grateful for this recognition. Recognition, support and solidarity are vital in achieving our missions, especially for women and women’s organizations.”
Two of the other big names are Melinda French Gates for Lifetime Leadership Award for her work on social progress and to improve gender equality, and CCN’s chief international correspondent – Clarissa Ward for Inspiration Award for her high-profile investigative journalism assignments covering many risky environments, including on the second deadly wave of COVID-19 in India and the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan.
The DVF Award is established to recognize women across industries who are dedicated to elevating the lives of other women.
