Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet awarded Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2024

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTON – Former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet on Wednesday was awarded the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development 2024, according to media reports.

The award presented by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, recognizes Bachelet’s outstanding contributions to human rights, peace, and equality, the press release said.

It said that Bachelet’s tireless efforts to promote gender equality, democracy, and development have made her an inspirational figure globally.

The jury statement said that her commitment to LGBTQ+ rights, women’s empowerment, and marginalized communities has left a lasting impact on Chile and the world.

“The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2024 is awarded to Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet for the example and inspiration that she is to women and men around the world of steadfastly striving for peace, gender equality, human rights, democracy and development in difficult circumstances and her contributions to India’s relations with Chile,” the jury statement read.

Bachelet served as Chile’s first female President from 2006-2010 and 2014-2018 has held key positions, including Founding Director of UN Women and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Her leadership has strengthened India-Chile relations, including the signing of a free trade agreement in 2006, the statement added