The Women of Europe Awards are jointly organised by the European Movement International and the European Women’s Lobby, building upon the national awards of several National European Movement Councils.

In 2022, the Women of Europe Awards’ celebrated its seventh anniversary. Indeed, the Women of Europe Awards were launched in 2016, to highlight the contribution of women in promoting and advancing European issues, and to increase the involvement of women in debates about Europe and its future. While the role of women in the European project remains largely unrecognised, the awards aim to acknowledge and showcase their inspiring initiatives which lend a voice to women across Europe and defend European values such as democracy, inclusion and diversity.

This year’s edition of the Women of Europe awards took place at the BELvue Museum, Place des Palais 7, 1000 Brussels. The ceremony was held from 18:30 to 21:30 and was followed by a reception. For those who missed it, a recording will be available on our social media shortly.

Learn more about the winners!

Olga Rudenko, Editor-in-Chief at Kyiv Independent, was awarded one of the ‘Woman of Europe’ Awards, in the Woman in Action category. The other winners were Sanna Marin (Woman in Power), Laura De Dilectis (Woman in Business), and Viviane Ogou Corbi (Woman in Youth Activism).

Upon receiving the Woman in Action Award, Rudenko said, “I would like to think that I am accepting this Award not just as an individual, but on behalf of all the brave women that are part of the Kyiv Independent and, in fact, on behalf of all Ukrainian women. They have been through so much this year. They truly are remarkable women in action.“

See the full version of Rudenko’s powerful acceptance speech here.

Winning the Woman in Power Award: Sanna Marin – Prime Minister of Finland

According to the Jury, Marin won the Woman in Power Award for the skillful and adept way in which she navigated her country through a series of crises, but also for her notable work in promoting LGBT and human rights.

Laura De Dilectis won the Woman in Business Award due to the innovative and effective way in which she tackled the issue of gender-based violence and strived for a safer Europe for all.

Viviane Ogou Corbi won the Women in Youth Activism Award for her outstanding work in promoting youth empowerment, research, and outreach around the African continent.

Woman in Power | Showing extraordinary political leadership in Europe

Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration;
Síofra O’Leary, President of the European Court of Human Rights;
Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland.

Woman in Action | Undertaking extraordinary actions at the grassroots level in Europe

Maya Doneva, Secretary General of the European Association of Social Services Providers for People with Disabilities (EASPD);
Rokhaya Diallo, Journalist, Feminist, Anti-racist Activist, and Filmmaker;
Olga Rudenko, Ukrainian Journalist.

Woman in Business | Advancing European integration with entrepreneurial spirit

Martina Dlabajová, Member of the European Parliament;
Laura De Dilectis, Founder of “DONNEXSTRADA”;
Lubomila Jordanova, CEO of Plan A.Earth, Founder of the Greentech Alliance.

Woman in Youth Activism | For women aged 15 to 30 strengthening the voice of young women in Europe

Kira Marie Peter-Hansen, Member of the European Parliament; 
Luisa Neubauer, Climate activist, Founder of Fridays For Future Germany; 
Viviane Ogou Corbi, Youth Activist, President of La Puerta de Africa.

The Jury:

This year’s distinguished Jury consisted of female leaders from all walks of life across Europe, including:

• Eva Maydell MEP, President of the European Movement International
• Reka Safrany, President of the European Women’s Lobby
• Valeria Ronzitti, Secretary General of SGI Europe
• Joy Clara Schäflein, Member of the Citizens’ Panels, Plenary Member of the Conference on the Future of Europe
• Noelle O’Connell, CEO of European Movement Ireland
• Aura Salla, Public Policy Director, Head of EU Affairs at Meta
• Arianna Ioli, CEO of the Europa Business School, and Coordinator of the Sport Digital Marketing Festival
• Aslihan Tekin, EU Representative of EWL Coordination for Turkey
• Marja Ruotanen, Director General of Democracy & Human Dignity, Council of Europe

We encourage you to follow the event organisers @EMInternational & @EuropeanWomen and join the discussions on Twitter using the hashtag #WomenofEurope.