New York, 4 March 2016. HRH Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Castro attended the UN Women for Peace Association (UNWFPA) Annual Awards Luncheon held at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York.
The Duchess of Castro was presented the prestigious Humanitarian Award for her longstanding advocacy and work in the protection of the rights of women, especially in conflict areas during a ceremony that took place on the occasion of the International Women’s Day celebration. This Award is given annually to personalities in the world of culture, entrepreneurship and politics, who have particularly distinguished themselves in charitable and social work. This year the Award went to the Duchess of Castro, for “her intense social and charitable activities in support of disadvantaged children”.
Her Royal Highness said ”Mr. Secretary General, Mrs. Ban Soon-Taek, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am humbled and honoured to be here today, in this prestigious Institution, surrounded by so many people who have devoted their lives to fight violence against women and children and am simply overwhelmed by the Award I am granted by the UN Women for Peace Association, to which I am deeply grateful. Congratulations, Mr. Secretary General, for your Award, that acknowledges the major role you have been playing in this Institution for the last NINE years with such commitment and success. And congratulations also to you, Mrs. Ban Soon-Taek, who have had the courage and vision to start this valuable Association. Many thanks also to you, Muna Rihani, who are the driving force behind this organization. This Award will give me even more energy to continue fighting for women all over the world, for their rights, their safety and the ones of their children. I would like to thank my mother and my husband, who are here today and have always given me their support and encouragement in all my undertakings. I look very much forward to marching with all of you tomorrow and will bring my two little girls, because I want them to learn at an early age the meaning of peace, tolerance and justice for all. Thank you.”
During this prestigious ceremony, HE Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General, received the Humanitarian Award and HE Mrs Ban Soon-Taek, Patron of UN Women for Peace Association received the Peace Award.
The UN Women for Peace Association was founded in 2008. The UNWFPA helps to advance the goals of academic and charitable organisations, which provide opportunities to involve and empower women in the global peace building process through social, cultural, and educational programmes.
For further information on UNWFPA click here
For further information on the Humanitarian Award click here