Feminist Diplomacy – The Simone Veil Prize of the French Republic for gender equality

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The Simone Veil Prize of the French Republic is awarded to a person or group of any nationality working to promote gender equality and improve the status of women and girls around the world. Created at the instigation of President Macron in 2019, it is awarded every year on 8 March, International Women’s Day.

Advancing the rights of women around the world

The Simone Veil Prize of the French Republic reaffirms France’s commitment to defending and promoting women’s rights. France has practised feminist diplomacy since 2019, placing gender equality issues at the heart of its foreign policy.

The purpose of the Prize is to showcase actions contributing to ending violence and discrimination against women, improving their access to quality education and promoting their autonomy, as well as their participation in all public and private decision-making processes.

Every year, the winner is chosen following recommendations made by the diplomatic network and selection by an independent jury.

The winner is awarded €100,000 to help them in their work and fund a tangible project.

Who are the winners of the Simone Veil Prize of the French Republic for gender equality?

  • 7th edition - Organización Género y TIC (Gentic) (2025), an Argentinian action group combating gender-based violence in the digital environment and creating safe digital spaces for women and the LGBTQI+ community.
  • 6th edition - Miriame Djangala-Fall and Lea Kongbo (2024), representatives of the Movement for Central African Women Survivors
  • 4th edition - Ms Komal Narayan (2022), a Fijian activist campaigning for women’s rights as part of the fight against climate change.
  • 3rd edition - Ms Habiba Sarabi (2021), an Afghan politician and Minister of Women’s Affairs of Afghanistan from 2002 to 2004.
  • 2nd edition - Vivas nos queremos (2020), an Ecuadorian collective combating violence against women and fighting for universal legal access to abortion.
  • 1st edition - Ms Aissa Doumara Ngatansou (2019), a Cameroonian activist campaigning to end violence against women and early marriage.