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Time to amplify and celebrate Courageous Female Leadership with the Mary Chirwa Award

5 min read

Good Stuff
Source: nudgeglobalimpactchallenge.com

The Mary Chirwa Award aims to recognise women who have a proven record of courageous leadership in a field related to sustainable development goals, with the winner awarded US$5,000 for their cause!

Wanted: courageous female leaders to win with the mary chirwa award

The Mary Chirwa Award Foundation together with Nudge, aim to recognise women who have a proven record of courageous leadership in a field related to one or more of the Sustainable Development Goal(s). The winner is awarded US$5,000 for their cause and is invited to a ceremony at the Peace Palace, in The Hague, the Netherlands.

Today’s world, more than ever, needs to amplify & celebrate Female Courageous Leaders.  The Mary Chirwa Award does exactly that. Which fearless female leader deserves this prestigious award? Nominate your candidate today! (See below for details)

Call for nominees Female Courageous Leaders - Mary Chirwa Award. Today’s world, more than ever, needs to amplify & celebrate Female Courageous Leaders. The Mary Chirwa Award does exactly that. Which fearless female leader deserves this prestigious award? Nominate your candidate today. Source: Facebook/BrightVibes
Chirwa fought corruption, money laundering and terrorism financing in her country. Her yearly reports disclosed money trails that lead to criminal situations in Zambia. Chirwa was a guest of honour during the Nudge Global Impact Awards 2018, where she told the audience that, since publishing the reports, she has been receiving threats to her life. Nonetheless, she remained resolute in her duties to fight financial crime. Pictured: Mary Chirwa and Ama van Dantzig (moderator) — Photo: Bibi Veth.
Mary Chirwa is the former Director General of the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) in Zambia, a government agency responsible for regulating financial crime. Chirwa fought corruption, money laundering and terrorism financing in her country. Her yearly reports disclosed money trails that lead to criminal situations in Zambia. Chirwa was a guest of honour during the Nudge Global Impact Awards 2018, where she told the audience that, since publishing the reports, she has been receiving threats to her life. Nonetheless, she remained resolute in her duties to fight financial crime. Pictured: Mary Chirwa and Ama van Dantzig (moderator) — Photo: Bibi Veth. Source: nudgeglobalimpactchallenge.com

The backlash from some government offices on FIC and the threats to Mary Chirwa’s life

In true dedication to their purpose, the FIC published its 2018 Trends Report, disclosing massive corruption in the public sector that led to the loss of approximately 420 million euros in public funds. Such funds are essential to many Zambians living below the poverty line.

Disclosing high level corruption involving politically exposed persons was a true act of bravery and it caused a stir. Sharing her experience at the Nudge Global Impact Awards 2018, Chirwa received a standing ovation. She disclosed that the report had a lot of backlash, and she has been receiving threats to her life. 

Chirwa however remains resolute in her passion to fight corruption in Zambia. “It’s dangerous to do this job, but I love it. If I get scared, I can’t help my community. It takes fearless leadership to be able to work in this environment.” she stated.

Bravery, integrity and perseverance must be rewarded

The FIC report represents a voice for the voiceless in Zambia. Chirwa’s principles, work ethics, and desire to create impact under adverse conditions show how an individual can make a difference. The Mary Chirwa Award is launched to honour other such fearless leaders. Although it is not part of the Challenge, our programme and platform provide a great opportunity to highlight such remarkable leadership. 

Source: nudgeglobalimpactchallenge

We are thrilled to announce that during the ceremony on May 27, the Challenge will host the Mary Chirwa Award for female courageous leadership! This award represents to us what leadership should look like in the world. We hope to inspire our participants for their future endeavours!
The excitement for the Awards night is not over yet! We are thrilled to announce that during the ceremony on May 27, the Challenge will host the Mary Chirwa Award for female courageous leadership! This award represents to us what leadership should look like in the world. We hope to inspire our participants for their future endeavours! Source: Facebook/NudgeGlobalImpactChallenge

Evaluation criteria and Value of the Mary Chirwa Award

Evaluation criteria

  • Identify as a woman
  • A proven record of courageous leadership in a field related to one or more of the Sustainable Development Goal(s).
  • A clear aspiration to make the world a better place.
  • Must not be a celebrity or a well-known public figure.
  • You may not nominate yourself.

To nominate your female courageous leader click on this link and fill in the required information. 

Value of the Mary Chirwa Award:

  • The laureate receives a cheque of US$5,000 to use for funding a cause related to the field she or he is recognised for.
  • Recognition from our Mary Chirwa Award Committee.
  • Invitation to the Nudge Global Impact Awards ceremony at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands. Keynote speakers, CEOs and sustainability leaders from all over the world will attend.
Father Antonios is the founder of the organisation Ark of the World that supports children and teenagers who are homeless, orphans, runaways, school drop-outs, children of drug users, immigrants and refugees. His work is extremely important, as the Greek financial crisis has left a lot of people homeless. (Photo by Bibi Veth).
Prince Carlos de Bourbon de Parme, Mary Chirwa, Father Antonios and his wife, Stamatia Georganti. Father Antonios is the founder of the organisation Ark of the World that supports children and teenagers who are homeless, orphans, runaways, school drop-outs, children of drug users, immigrants and refugees. His work is extremely important, as the Greek financial crisis has left a lot of people homeless. (Photo by Bibi Veth). Source: nudgeglobalimpactchallenge.com

There’s still time to nominate!

In recognition of Mary’s courageous leadership, a prestigious, global award is named after her. To further amplify and celebrate female courageous leadership, you can now nominate women for the 2022 Mary Chirwa Courageous Female Leadership Award.

“Leadership means thinking of other people before yourself, putting other people first before yourself, regardless of who that person is.”

You have a chance to nominate a person of your choice that you feel has exhibited fearless and courageous leadership. A woman leader.

3 nominees will be shortlisted and invited to the peace palace award ceremony in the hague.

The prize is a $5,000 for their cause.

For more information and to nominate courageous female leaders, CLICK HERE

Nominations are open until 11 April 2022.

Make an Impact

THERE’S STILL TIME TO NOMINATE

To further amplify and celebrate female courageous leadership, you can now nominate women for the 2022 Mary Chirwa Courageous Female Leadership Award. You have a chance to nominate a person of your choice that you feel has exhibited fearless and courageous leadership. A woman leader. The prize is a $5,000 for their cause. Nominations are open until 11 April 2022.