The United Nations recently awarded HelpAge India, a leading charity in the field of elderly care, the eminent UN Population Award for 2020 in the institutional category. This award recognises significant contributions to population and reproductive health issues. Meanwhile, Bhutan’s Queen Mother Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck received the same prestigious honor in the individual category this year. Her invaluable work on sexual health and gender violence prevention has set noteworthy examples globally. This article presents a more detailed view of the UN Population award, its recipients and their impactful contributions.
Understanding the United Nations Population Award
This annual recognition, the United Nations Population Award, is given by the Committee for the United Nations Population Award. Instituted by the General Assembly in 1981, it started distributing awards in 1983. The award acknowledges individuals or institutions that have made outstanding contributions to address population-related issues and reproductive health solutions. Each year, laureates of the award receive a gold medal, a diploma and a cash prize. All activities related to this award are managed by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which serves as its secretariat.
A Closer Look at HelpAge India
HelpAge India, the 2020 institutional category recipient of the UN Population Award, is an eminent charity organization in India. For nearly four decades, it has tirelessly worked towards supporting and empowering disadvantaged elderly people. Founded in 1978, it is registered under the Societies’ Registration Act of 1860.
HelpAge India’s recognition holds special historical significance as well. It is the first instance of an Indian institution receiving the esteemed UN Population Award. This momentous occasion showcases the global impact that HelpAge India’s important work has had.
India and the UN Population Award: A Brief History
Before HelpAge India’s recent win, only two Indians have been recognized with the UN Population Award since its inception in 1981. The first Indian recipient, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, received her honor in 1983. A few years later, renowned industrialist-philanthropist J.R.D. Tata was the award recipient in 1992. Their achievements and the recent recognition of HelpAge India highlight the significant contributions that India has made in addressing population-related issues and improving reproductive health.
The Queen Mother of Bhutan: A Fierce Advocate for Sexual Health
The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck, was honoured with the United Nations Population Award in the individual category for 2020. She has been a vehement advocate for sexual health and robustly worked towards ending gender violence. Her remarkable efforts have not only made a noticeable impact in Bhutan but also set a globally respected precedent.
The UN Population Award’s reputable platform recognizes and encourages remarkable contributions in addressing population and reproductive health issues. The latest recipients, HelpAge India and Queen Mother Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck, serve as exemplary figures whose work continues to make a significant global impact.
Last Modified: February 9, 2024