Call for Nominations: The Ginetta Sagan Award

The Ginetta Sagan Award honors women who are courageously defending the liberty, safety, and human rights of women and children in regions affected by serious abuses. The award provides $20,000 directly to the recipient, with unrestricted use.

It recognizes women leaders who have created meaningful impact, often at great personal risk, and helps increase international visibility and protection for their work.

What Is the Ginetta Sagan Award?

The Ginetta Sagan Award is an international human rights recognition for women working to protect women and children where rights violations are widespread.

The award celebrates leadership, courage, and effective non-violent activism in difficult or dangerous environments.

Main Purpose of the Award

The award is designed to:

• Recognize extraordinary human rights leadership
• Support women working under threat or repression
• Increase international visibility
• Strengthen recipient safety through global attention
• Help sustain long-term activism
• Highlight overlooked human rights crises

Award Value

Financial Grant

• $20,000

Payment Structure

The funding is granted directly to the individual recipient.

Use of Funds

The recipient may use the funds at their own discretion.

Why This Award Matters

Women human rights defenders often face:

• Harassment
• Threats
• Violence
• Isolation
• Financial barriers
• Political repression

Recognition can provide legitimacy, visibility, and protection.

Who Can Be Nominated?

The award focuses on women leaders working for rights and justice.

Ideal Nominee Profiles

• Founders of rights movements
• Executive directors
• Grassroots women leaders
• Community organizers
• Movement leaders
• Human rights advocates

Focus of Work

Nominees should be actively advancing:

• Rights of women
• Rights of children
• Freedom and dignity
• Protection from abuse
• Justice and equality

Eligibility Requirements

Nominees should meet the following standards:

Leadership Requirement

Must be a recognized leader such as:

• Founder
• Executive director
• Movement leader

Impact Requirement

Must show significant positive impact in:

• Country
• Region
• Community
• Issue area

Values Requirement

Must demonstrate commitment to:

• Non-violent social change
• Internationally recognized human rights principles

Who Is Not Eligible?

Nominees must not be:

• Political party leaders
• Government officials
• Government employees
• Politically partisan actors

Why International Attention Helps

The award seeks to protect recipients by increasing global awareness of their work.

This can help:

• Deter retaliation
• Build solidarity networks
• Attract partnerships
• Increase media attention
• Strengthen advocacy outcomes

What Kind of Work Is Strongly Considered?

Examples include:

• Combating violence against women
• Defending girls’ education
• Supporting child protection
• Fighting forced marriage
• Legal aid for abuse survivors
• Campaigns against trafficking
• Women’s leadership movements
• Peaceful justice reform initiatives

Nomination Materials

Required / Recommended Components

• Nomination details
• Evidence of impact
• Description of risks faced
• Leadership achievements
• Human rights relevance

Recommendation Letters

Up to two letters of recommendation may be included.

These should explain:

• Relationship to nominee
• Community impact
• Effectiveness of work
• Relevant achievements

How to Nominate

Step 1: Identify a Strong Candidate

Choose a woman leader creating measurable human rights impact.

Step 2: Gather Evidence

Collect examples of achievements, campaigns, outcomes, or reforms.

Step 3: Obtain Recommendation Letters

Secure up to two strong references from credible supporters.

Step 4: Prepare Nomination Package

Clearly explain:

• Risks faced
• Leadership role
• Results achieved
• Why recognition matters now

Step 5: Submit Before Deadline

Use the official award nomination process.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Eligibility Errors

• Nominating political officeholders
• Government-affiliated nominees
• Candidate with no active leadership role

Nomination Errors

• Vague impact claims
• No evidence of outcomes
• Weak recommendation letters
• Missing explanation of risk context

Tips for a Strong Nomination

• Quantify impact where possible
• Highlight personal courage and risk
• Show sustained leadership
• Include community testimony
• Demonstrate non-violent methods
• Explain why international visibility is important

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Ginetta Sagan Award?

An award recognizing women defending the rights of women and children in high-risk environments.

2. How much is the award?

$20,000.

3. Who receives the money?

The individual award recipient.

4. Can the funds be used freely?

Yes, the recipient can use the funds at their discretion.

5. Can government officials be nominated?

No.

6. Are recommendation letters required?

Up to two letters may be submitted and are highly valuable.

7. What values matter most?

Leadership, impact, courage, and commitment to non-violent human rights work.

Conclusion

The Ginetta Sagan Award 2026 is an important opportunity to recognize courageous women protecting rights in difficult environments. With a $20,000 unrestricted grant and global visibility, the award can strengthen both the recipient’s safety and long-term impact.

Strong nominations should clearly demonstrate leadership, measurable results, and principled commitment to non-violent change.