UNFPA Executive Director Receives Human Rights Award

Washington, December 10, 2009 -- UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid received the 2009 Louis B. Sohn Human Rights Award from the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) today for her substantial contributions to human rights.

“I am deeply honoured, and humbled, by this prestigious award,” said Ms. Obaid. “What makes it more significant for me is that I am receiving it on Human Rights Day. Such an honour will only make me, and UNFPA, more committed to promoting the human rights of women and girls who still face gender discrimination and violence, to advancing their empowerment and gender equality and to ensuring universal access to reproductive health.”

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, "Thoraya Obaid has been a tireless champion of women’s human and reproductive rights. Throughout her career, she has been fearless in breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes. Under her leadership, the United Nations Population Fund has played a major role in promoting maternal health and women's empowerment, and campaigns against female genital mutilation and fistula have achieved global resonance. I congratulate Thoraya Obaid, and I commend the UNA-NCA on their choice.”

“Ms. Obaid’s leadership has been an inspiration to so many of us who recognize reproductive rights as human rights,” said Karen Mulhauser, president of UNA-NCA, which is one of the oldest and largest divisions of the United Nations Association of the USA.

The award was presented to Ms. Obaid during a ceremony held on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The event is organized in partnership with The District of Columbia Office of Human Rights and the D.C. Commission on Human Rights, which seeks to eradicate discrimination, increase equal opportunity, and protect human rights in Washington, D.C.

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