Niwano Peace Prize

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The 32nd Niwano Peace Prize has been awarded this year to Esther Abimiku Ibanga, a Nigerian pastor and activitist for women’s rights, in recognition of her efforts to promote women’s empowerment and peaceful co-existence. Pastor Ibanga founded the Women Without Walls Initiative (WOWWI) in an effort to end the violent and senseless killings of women and children in the state of Plateau, Nigeria.

Since its establishment, the organization has become a strong coalition of women’s groups beyond ethnic and religious divisions and is the first to have among its members women leaders from all tribal groups, including Christian and Muslim. To achieve its goals and objectives, the Women Without Walls Initiative, under the leadership of Pastor Ibanga, has taken steps to increase the role of women through education, skills building and micro finance.

The organization has represented women in international conferences and forums in various countries, including Rwanda, South Africa, Austria and the United States. Pastor Ibanga also recently presented a document to the UN entitled, Preventing and Tackling Violence and Criminal Atrocities against Minorities.