Mozambican Humanitarian Graca Machel Wins Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2025

New Delhi | 27 January 2026 Mozambican rights activist and humanitarian Graca Machel has been awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for the year 2025. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust announced the decision last week. The prize was awarded after a unanimous decision by an international jury chaired by former national security advisor Shivshankar Menon. The trust praised Machel as “a distinguished African stateswoman, politician and humanitarian whose life’s work is rooted in the struggle for self rule and protection of human rights.” It added that she has dedicated her life to improving the lives of vulnerable communities and creating a more just and fair society for all. Born on October 17, 1945, in rural Mozambique, Graca Machel studied in Methodist mission schools before earning a scholarship to study German at the University of Lisbon. It was during her time in Portugal that her political awareness grew, leading her to return to Mozambique in 1973. She joined the Mozambican Liberation Front (FRELIMO) as a freedom fighter and teacher, actively working towards the country’s independence. In 1996, Machel authored the influential report The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children, which changed how the United Nations and its members operate in war zones. Her efforts earned her the UN’s Nansen Refugee Award and she was made an honorary Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1997. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust said the prize honours her “pathbreaking work in the field of education, health & nutrition, economic empowerment and humanitarian work under difficult circumstances; and for inspiring hope in millions for building a more equitable and just world.” Graca Machel Wins Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2025 for Lifelong Humanitarian Work Mozambican rights activist Graca Machel has been awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2025, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust announced recently. The decision was made by an international jury led by former national security advisor Shivshankar Menon. The trust praised her for her long dedication to human rights and social justice. The trust described Machel as “a distinguished African stateswoman, politician and humanitarian whose life’s work is rooted in the struggle for self rule and protection of human rights.” It also noted that she has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of vulnerable communities and create a fairer society for everyone. Graca Machel was born on October 17, 1945, in rural Mozambique. She studied at Methodist mission schools and later won a scholarship to study German at the University of Lisbon. Her political awareness grew during this time, and she returned to Mozambique in 1973. She joined the Mozambican Liberation Front (FRELIMO) and worked as a freedom fighter and teacher. Her 1996 report The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children changed how the UN handles war zones and child protection. For her work, she received the UN’s Nansen Refugee Award and was made an honorary Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1997. The trust said the prize recognizes her “pathbreaking work in the field of education, health & nutrition, economic empowerment and humanitarian work under difficult circumstances; and for inspiring hope in millions for building a more equitable and just world.”