About

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 2021, the Women of Europe Awards’ celebrated its sixth 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 edition of the Women of Europe award ceremony was held online on Wednesday 1 December 2021, from 16:00 – 17:00 CET. The event was live streamed on the European Movement’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn pages.

Woman in Power | Showing extraordinary political leadership in Europe
Kauthar Bouchallikht, Dutch Politician and Climate Activist
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
Silvia Costa, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Italian Government

According to the jury, representing extraordinary women in their own right from politics, business, civil society and academia, Angela Merkel has won the Woman in Power award for her work in promoting and fostering European integration as well as playing a decisive role in managing the crises in the European Union in her 16 years of German chancellorship.

Woman in Action | Undertaking extraordinary actions at grassroots level in Europe
Jenny Rasche, Founder and Chairwoman of the Association “Kinderhilfe Für Siebenbürgen E.V.”
Ineta Ziemele, Judge at the Court of Justice of the European Union
Gina Miller, Activist and Anti-Brexit Campaigner

The Jury chose Jenny Rasche to win the Woman in Action Award for her extensive and inspiring work organising and supporting the integration of the Roma community in Europe, highlighting the many children who have gained access to education and care as a result of her work.

Upon receiving the Woman in Action Award, Jenny Rasche said, “Active and determined women can achieve more than any army ever could. I stand for women everywhere, and this Award shows that women are seen and that our commitment to positive change is recognised.” 

Woman in Business | Advancing European integration with entrepreneurial spirit
Dr Özlem Türeci, Physician, Immunologist, Lecturer and Entrepreneur
Anne Nègre, Lawyer on Behalf of UWE
Tijen Onaran, CEO & Founder of GDW Global Digital Women

Prof. Özlem Türeci won the Woman in Business Award for her strong leadership in developing a vaccine against Covid-19, and for her commitment and hard work to tackle the pandemic and protect millions of lives.

Upon receiving the Woman in Business Award, Prof. Özlem Türeci said, “I am inspired every day by the intense focus and dedication of the scientific community, that finds its strength in its diversity and breaks down barriers, in the face of an unprecedented global challenge.”

Woman in Youth Activism | For women aged 15 to 30 strengthening the voice of young women in Europe
Greta Thunberg, Swedish Climate Change Activist
Zorana Milovanovic, Project Manager at Evropski Pokret U Srbiji
Zahra Karimy, Activist for Women’s and Children’s Rights

Greta Thunberg won the Women in Youth Activism Award for her work in raising the global awareness of the risks posed by climate change, and for her courageous leadership in support for climate justice, social change, and youth community organising.

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

– Federica Mogherini, Rector, College of Europe, (former High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission)
– Eva Maydell MEP, Group of the European People’s Party, President of the European Movement International
– Réka Sáfrány, President of European Women’s Lobby
– Sylwia Spurek MEP, Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance
– Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, Director General of the European Commission’s DG Communications
– Elizabeth Adams, President of the European Federation of Nurses Associations, which won the Women in Action award in 2020
– Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra
– Asha Allen, Advocacy Director of the Centre for Democracy & Technology Europe
– Pirkko Mahlamaki, Secretary General of the Finnish Disability Forum
– Maria Atanasova, Volunteer & Advocate for Integration of Roma Youth; winner of the Woman in Youth Activism award in 2020

We encourage you to follow the event organisers @EMInternational & @EuropeanWomen and join the discussions on Twitter using the hashtag #WomenofEurope. More information regarding the 2020 Women of Europe Awards edition, including list of shortlisted nominees and winners, is available here.