United Nations Population Award 2025: Varsha Deshpande Honoured for Gender Equality

The United Nations Population Award 2025 has been announced, recognizing outstanding contributions to population, reproductive health, and gender equality. This year marks the 40th edition of the award, established by the UN General Assembly in 1981 to honour individuals and institutions making a significant impact on population-related challenges across the world.

What is the UN Population Award?

The United Nations Population Award was created in 1981 (UN Resolution 36/201). It is given annually to:

• One individual and/or one institution

• In recognition of exceptional work in population and reproductive health

• Including issues like family planning, maternal health, gender equality, and reproductive rights

Award Components:

• A Gold Medal

• A Diploma

• A Monetary Prize

The award is managed by a committee of eight UN Member States, with the UN Secretary-General and UNFPA Executive Director serving as ex-officio members. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) acts as the Secretariat for the award.

Varsha Deshpande Wins 2025 UN Population Award

The United Nations Population Award 2025 has been conferred upon Varsha Deshpande, a renowned women’s rights activist and advocate from Satara, Maharashtra, India. The award honors her remarkable contributions to gender equality, women’s empowerment, and population-related issues, especially her bold work in tackling gender-biased sex selection in India.

Announced on World Population Day (11 July 2025), the award is one of the most prestigious recognitions in the field of reproductive health and gender justice globally.

Who is Varsha Deshpande?

Varsha Deshpande is the founder and secretary of the Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, an organization she established in 1990. She has dedicated over 35 years to empowering marginalized Dalit women, promoting reproductive rights, and challenging deep-rooted gender and caste-based discrimination in India.

Her Key Contributions:

• Pioneered sting operations against sex-selective abortions

• Promoted behavior change through mass community awareness campaigns

• Advocated for strong enforcement of the PCPNDT Act

• Championed property rights for women through joint ownership advocacy

• Designed programmes against child marriage by engaging adolescent girls and boys

• Provided vocational training and economic resources to women in the informal sector

Her approach blends legal intervention, grassroots activism, and policy advocacy, making her a powerful force for change in India’s gender landscape.

Global Significance of the Award

The UN Population Award recognizes those who work to ensure a world where:

• Every pregnancy is wanted

• Every childbirth is safe

• Every young person’s potential is fulfilled

These awards spotlight the critical role of individuals and institutions in promoting sustainable population development and ensuring reproductive health and rights for all.

Previous Winners: A Legacy of Impact

Over the last 40 years, the UN Population Award has been conferred on notable figures and organizations such as:

• Dr. Nafis Sadik, former UNFPA Executive Director

• Sir David Attenborough, for raising awareness on overpopulation and environmental issues

• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, for investments in maternal and child health

These honorees have significantly shaped global policy, awareness, and community-level interventions on key population issues.

Why This Award Matters in 2025

In 2025, the world continues to face pressing challenges related to:

• Skewed sex ratios

• Inequitable access to reproductive healthcare

• Rising gender-based violence

• Inequality in access to resources

The UN Population Award 2025 serves as a beacon of hope and recognition, reminding the global community of the power of grassroots leadership, community engagement, and international cooperation in addressing population and gender issues.

Conclusion

The United Nations Population Awards 2025 highlight the urgent need for inclusive development that places women, girls, and reproductive rights at the center. Varsha Deshpande’s recognition is not only a personal milestone but a moment of pride for India and advocates of gender justice worldwide.

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