Sunita Danuwar, a leading social activist from Nepal, has won yet another international award for her exemplary work in raising awareness on human trafficking and preventing young girls and women from being trafficked outside the country.

The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy on Thursday decided to give the ‘Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award’ to Danuwar, recognising her courage, leadership and contribution to end human trafficking and for survivor’s rights, read a statement released by Shakti Samuha, the first non-governmental organisation sheltering survivors from human trafficking in Nepal and founded by the trafficked women themselves, including Danuwar. The Award consists of a sculpture and a USD100, 000 grant to support Danuwar for her dedication to rescuing female victims from human trafficking and advocating on the prevention.

This is not the first international recognition for Danuwar and her organisation. Danuwar, a founding member and chairperson of Shakti Samuha was awarded with the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2013, along with various other international recognitions and awards, namely French Republic Human Rights Award and World Women Leadership Congress Award in 2015. Danuwar has received C10 award that recognises ten global leaders for their fight against trafficking of children provided by the Swedish government in 2014 and was voted among the CNN Heroes in 2012.

“This is a great achievement for everyone working to prevent trafficking of young girls and women as well as violence against them in the country,” said Danuwar. “The international recognition to our work has further encouraged us to work to prevent trafficking of hundreds of vulnerable girls and women and improve the status of trafficked women who are rescued from various places,” she added.

Since the establishment of Shakti Samuha in 1996, the organisation has been organising and empowering returnee trafficking survivors by providing shelter, legal aids, counselling and vocational training.

The statement released by Taiwan Foundation for Democracy stated that Danuwar, who was once a human trafficking survivor, was chosen after a two-stage reviewing process and will formally receive the award at a ceremony slated to be held on December 10, on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day.  Since 2006, the Foundation confers the award on an individual or organisation which has made significant contribution to the development of democracy and human rights in Asia.