Peshawar, 14 June 2022 (TDI): The US Consulate General in Peshawar congratulated Wagma Feroz, a woman rights activist and film-maker, on earning the international Stefanus Prize in recognition of her contribution to promoting human rights in Pakistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Wagma Feroz belongs to the Mohmand tribal district. She engages in the promotion of interfaith harmony, women’s rights, and human rights since 2010.
The Consulate expressed pleasure at the fact that Wagma Feroz is an alumna of the US International Visitor Leadership Program.
Congratulations to @StateIVLP alumna from #KP Wagma Feroz on winning the prestigious international Stefanus Prize in recognition of her outstanding contribution to promote human rights. #PakUSAt75https://t.co/j3DWJwF3rm
— US ConsulatePeshawar (@USCGPeshawar) June 13, 2022
A ceremony was organized last week in Oslo, Norway, for prize distribution. During the ceremony, she proclaimed that any social or political change in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be incomplete without women’s participation.
“This award is not only for me but also for all the women and men who suffered pain and hardships along the way and never lose hope. Despite all the differences of religion, colour, race, and ideology, we can peacefully coexist in this world that is our shared home,” she said.
Stefanus Alliance International, a Norway-based NGO, gave the prize and organized the ceremony.
Previously, another Pakistani human rights activist and lawyer, Asma Jahangir, received the prize in 2014.
Contributions of Wagma Feroz
She is the first woman from KP to achieve this prize. She is also leading an organization named ‘Da Torsaro Sadar’ (cover for women) addressing women’s issues.
Furthermore, she has engaged in improving awareness among women in tribal areas on religious freedom, interfaith harmony, and human rights.
She uses art forms such as theatre, digital storytelling, documentary, and short film-making.
“This is an endless struggle and women should stand up for their rights. I advise young university students to muster courage to work for a substantive change in society,” she expressed.
She further said that her current work involves religious freedom and women’s issues, including gender inequality, domestic violence, and education.
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