Feminist Peace Heroes from India
Created by Riyan Buragohain
From 19th-century reformers like Savitribai Phule to digital peacebuilders like Kirthi Jayakumar, this powerful tribute honours Indian feminists who challenged patriarchy, caste, and injustice to build a more peaceful and equitable society. These inspiring figures, ranging from activists and authors to lawyers and filmmakers, have transformed lives across generations. Discover the untold stories of courage, compassion, and relentless advocacy for peace and women rights.
Savitribai Phule
Educator, social reformer, and India’s first female teacher, born in 1831 in Naigaon, Maharashtra, Savitribai Phule broke caste and gender barriers by advocating for education as a tool for emancipation. With the support of her husband Jyotirao Phule, she learned to read and write, defying social norms. Together, they founded India’s first school for girls run by Indians at Bhide Wada in Pune, which became a catalyst for educational reform. Between 1848 and 1852, they established 18 such schools and introduced innovative teaching practices, including stipends and parent-teacher meetings. Her work extended beyond education as she co-founded the Satya Shodhak Samaj to promote social equality, encouraged widow remarriage, and opposed dowry and caste discrimination. She set up Balyata Pratibandak Gruha to support pregnant widows and rape victims, and ran adoption and shelter initiatives. Through her organization, Mahila Seva Mandali, she fought against child marriage, female foeticide, and the sati system.
Sudha Murty
Engineer, educator, philanthropist, and storyteller, Sudha Murty has long defied social expectations. Born in 1951 in Shiggaon, Karnataka, she became the first female engineering student at B.V.B. College of Engineering & Technology in 1968. At a time when engineering was seen as unsuitable for women, she studied without basic facilities like a women's restroom and graduated at the top of her class. As a key figure in social development initiatives, Murthy has led the construction of over 16,000 women’s toilets across India, working to restore dignity and hygiene to marginalized communities. For nearly two decades, she has also supported the rescue and rehabilitation of over 3,000 survivors of sex trafficking, offering them education, legal aid, and a path to reclaim their lives. Through her writing, which is rich in Indian mythology and folklore, Murty raises powerful questions about gender norms, child marriage, and the tension between tradition and progress. Her stories speak to the everyday courage of women across India and invite readers to imagine a more compassionate and equitable society.
Sampat Pal Devi
Grassroots leader, women’s rights activist, and founder of the Gulabi Gang– a movement of women in pink saris fighting injustice across rural India, Sampat Pal Devi, who was born in 1960 in Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh, witnessed gender and caste discrimination from a young age. Denied formal education and forced into child marriage at twelve, she defied expectations by secretly attending school and becoming her class’s top student. In 2006, Devi established the Gulabi Gang, a group originally all women and later joined by men, to take on abusive husbands, corrupt officials, and a system that often fails to protect its most vulnerable. They support survivors of gender violence, run shelters for widows, teach self-defence, and demand action from authorities in cases of rape and social injustice.
Sarojini Naidu
Poet, orator, and freedom fighter, Sarojini Naidu is famously known as the Nightingale of India. Her poetry, including works like In Salutation to Eternal Peace, envisioned peace as a state of harmony, unity, and spiritual connection, not just between individuals but also with nature and the divine. Born in Hyderabad on February 13, 1879, Naidu was not only a gifted writer but also a fearless political leader. A key figure in India’s independence movement and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and other national leaders, she endured repeated arrests by British authorities and spent over 21 months in prison. In 1925, she became the first woman to preside over the Indian National Congress. After independence, she was appointed Governor of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) in 1947, becoming the first woman to hold the office of Governor in the Dominion of India.
Kirthi Jayakumar
Feminist researcher, peacebuilder, and lawyer from Chennai, Kirthi Jayakumar has pioneered digital activism to advance gender equality and peace. She is the founder of The Gender Security Project, one of the few Women, Peace and Security (WPS) initiatives based in the Global South, dedicated to research and advocacy at the intersection of gender, conflict, and security. A self-taught coder, Kirthi created Saahas, a multilingual mobile and web app that supports survivors of gender-based violence in 196 countries. She formerly founded The Red Elephant Foundation, using storytelling and digital tools to promote gender equality and non violence. A Commonwealth Scholar and Royal Society of Arts fellow, Kirthi represents a new generation of peace activists.
Irom Sharmila Chanu
A civil rights activist and poet from India’s northeastern state of Manipur, Irom Sharmila Chanu is known as the state’s Iron Lady. In protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), she undertook one of the world’s longest hunger strikes, lasting nearly 16 years, from 2000 to 2016. Her protest began after the killing of 10 civilians by security forces in Malom village, igniting her resolve to demand justice and the repeal of AFSPA, a law granting sweeping powers to the military in “disturbed” areas. She was awarded the Rabindranath Tagore Peace Prize in 2010 in recognition of her unwavering commitment to non violent resistance. Despite being force-fed through a nasal tube and held under arrest for most of her protest, she remained calm, determined, and focused. In August 2016, she ended her fast, declaring her intent to enter politics and pursue justice through electoral democracy.
Manasi Pradhan
A women’s rights activist and author, Manasi Pradhan is the founder of the Honour for Women National Campaign, a nationwide movement aimed at ending violence against women in India. Born in a remote village in Odisha in 1962, she defied deep-rooted gender taboos, walking 15 km each day through rugged terrain to become the first girl in her village to complete school and later, the first woman law graduate in her region. Over the years, she has founded multiple initiatives, including Nirbhaya Vahini, Nirbhaya Samaroh, and OYSS Women, which work to empower women at the grassroots level. Manasi Pradhan’s contributions have received widespread national and international recognition. She was awarded the Rani Lakshmibai Stree Shakti Puraskar by the President of India in 2014 and named one of the world’s most inspiring feminist authors and activists by Bustle and Welker Media. In 2018, she addressed the prestigious Oxford Union at the University of Oxford.
Nandita Das
Acclaimed actor, filmmaker, and activist, Nandita Das has used cinema as a tool for social change. With over 40 films in 10 languages, she is known for taking on powerful and socially relevant roles, including her groundbreaking performance in Fire, one of India’s earliest portrayals of queer relationships on screen. As a filmmaker, her works tackle complex themes, such as the short film Listen to Her, which highlighted the surge in domestic violence in India during the pandemic, and the music video India’s Got Colour, which confronted the deep-rooted issue of colourism. In 2012, she wrote, directed, and acted in Between the Lines, a play that explored the subtle gender inequalities that exist among India’s affluent and educated urban elite. Beyond the screen, Nandita has championed numerous causes, from HIV/AIDS awareness to Dark Is Beautiful, a campaign that challenges beauty standards. She served on the Cannes Film Festival jury twice and was the first Indian inducted into the International Hall of Fame of the International Women’s Forum in Washington, D.C.
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
Jurist, social reformer, and chief architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, born in 1891, was also one of India’s earliest and most radical feminist thinkers. Born into a Dalit family, he understood the deep intersections of caste, class, and gender oppression. He championed the principles of dignity, education, and self-respect for all. Ambedkar’s vision of justice included full gender equality. He urged women to organise independently and lead change. At the All India Depressed Classes Women’s Conference in Nagpur on July 20, 1942, he expressed admiration for the women’s strong turnout and encouraged them to abandon oppressive rituals and customs, instill ambition in their children, and shape the nation's future. As India’s first Law Minister, he drafted the groundbreaking Hindu Code Bill that advocated for equal inheritance rights, divorce, and guardianship, giving daughters and widows the same legal standing as sons.
Flavia Agnes
A legal activist, academician and feminist scholar, Flavia Agnes has spent decades reshaping the legal landscape for Indian women. Born in 1947, her journey from a survivor of domestic violence to a leading women’s rights lawyer exemplifies resilience and transformation. As co-founder of MAJLIS, a legal and cultural resource centre in Maharashtra, she has helped over 50,000 women navigate the justice system with dignity. Agnes has been instrumental in bringing issues of domestic violence, gender inequality, and minority rights into legal and public discourse long before they were part of mainstream conversation. Through public interest litigation and advocacy, she has challenged patriarchal legal norms and defended the rights of women across religious and caste groups. Her deeply personal autobiography, My Story, Our Story of Rebuilding Broken Lives, continues to inspire survivors and activists alike. In 2024, a tree was dedicated in her name in the Garden of the Righteous in Milan, honouring her life-long fight against gender-based violence.
Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi
Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi made history as the first Indian woman to earn a degree in Western medicine. Born in an era when women’s roles were largely confined to domestic spaces, her graduation from the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1886 was a significant achievement. Her success was recognized internationally, earning her a congratulatory message from Queen Victoria. On returning to India, she was appointed physician-in-charge of the female ward at Albert Edward Hospital in Kolhapur, where she aimed to transform women’s healthcare. Tragically, her career was cut short by illness, and she passed away at the young age of 21. The Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in her honour.
Grace Banu
A Dalit and transgender rights activist, Grace Banu is widely recognized as India’s first transgender engineer. As the founder and director of the Trans Rights Now Collective, she has been at the forefront of the country’s LGBTQIA+ rights movement, advocating for legal reforms, workplace inclusion, and social justice. Grace has consistently pushed for affirmative action and reservations for transgender people in education and employment. When her daughter, Tharika Banu, was denied admission to school, Grace successfully challenged the decision in the Madras High Court, enabling Tharika to become the first transgender person to complete secondary education in Tamil Nadu. Grace continues to campaign for structural changes, such as paid leave during gender transition surgeries, and the creation of safe and supportive environments in workplaces and educational institutions.
Aruna Asaf Ali
An educator, political activist, and publisher, Aruna Asaf Ali played a defining role in India’s freedom struggle. She is best remembered for hoisting the Indian national flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay during the Quit India Movement of 1942, an act of defiance that became one of the movement’s most iconic images. A member of the Indian National Congress, she actively participated in the nonviolent Salt March but was arrested during the campaign. When she was denied release under the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931, fellow women prisoners refused to leave jail without her. Known for her strong will, she even declined Gandhi’s request to surrender in 1946. After independence, Aruna Asaf Ali continued her public service, becoming the first Mayor of Delhi. She was honored with the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1997.
Harish Sadani
One of contemporary India’s foremost male feminists, Harish Sadani has dedicated over 26 years to engaging men and boys in advancing women’s sexual and reproductive health. In 1993, he co-founded Men Against Violence and Abuse (MAVA), an organization working to prevent gender-based violence and promote healthy masculinity. A trained social worker, Harish has collaborated with corporates, universities, and NGOs to conduct gender sensitization sessions. His past roles span influential organizations such as GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (CSR), Child Rights & You (CRY), and the Blind Men’s Association. A TEDx speaker and respected voice on global platforms like UN Women and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Harish continues to shape conversations on gender justice and equity in India.
Medha Patkar
An environmentalist and fierce advocate of nonviolent protest, Medha Patkar has led the Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save the Narmada Movement) since 1985, opposing the construction of massive dams on the Narmada River that threatened to displace thousands. Braving arrests, police brutality, and life threatening hunger strikes, Patkar became a symbol of grassroots resistance and environmental justice. Under her leadership, the movement not only challenged development-induced displacement but also secured compensation for affected communities and halted dam projects like the Upper Veda and Lower Goin. In 1992, she was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for her activism.
Menaka Guruswamy
A senior advocate at the Supreme Court of India and one of the country’s most distinguished constitutional lawyers, Dr. Menaka Guruswamy is well known for winning the historic legal battle in India’s apex court that led to the decriminalization of homosexuality. She has also pushed for other major legal reforms, including securing fixed tenures in India’s bureaucracy and defending the Right to Education for disadvantaged children in private schools. Internationally recognized, she was named among Foreign Policy magazine’s 100 most influential Global Thinkers and TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2019, alongside fellow advocate Arundhati Katju. Guruswamy has advised UNICEF and UNDP on international human rights law and contributed to the constitution making process in Nepal. In 2017, her portrait was unveiled at Rhodes House, University of Oxford.
Pandita Ramabai
A social activist and women’s rights advocate, Pandita Ramabai founded the Arya Mahila Samaj in Pune to promote women’s education and oppose child marriage. In 1882, she gave an influential testimony before the British appointed Hunter Commission, advocating for women teachers, school inspectors, and access for women to medical colleges. These proposals later inspired the Women’s Medical Movement initiated by Lord Dufferin. In 1889, she established Sharada Sadan (Home of Wisdom), a non-sectarian school for widows, in Mumbai. Ramabai was the first woman to be honored with the titles Pandita and Sarasvati for her mastery of Sanskrit and was also one of the ten women delegates of the Congress session of 1889.
Priyanka Chopra
An acclaimed Bollywood actress, singer, and former Miss World, Priyanka Chopra’s public career has always had a deep commitment towards social causes. For over 12 years, she has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for children’s rights and gender equality. Her work has taken her to Jordan and Syria, where she has engaged directly with girls affected by war, displacement, and poverty. She is also partnering with the Marshalls Good Stuff Social Club to close the “access gap” between men and women, by providing financial literacy resources and mentorship to underprivileged women.
Uma Chakravarti
A feminist historian and social activist whose work has profoundly shaped the understanding of gender, caste, and history in India, Uma Chakravarti taught history at Miranda House, University College for Women, Delhi, from 1966 to 1998. She is renowned for bringing a feminist lens to the study of early Indian history, Buddhism, and contemporary social issues. Her influential writings include Rewriting History: The Life and Times of Pandita Ramabai (1998) and Gendering Caste Through a Feminist Lens (2002). Beyond academia, Chakravarti has been deeply involved in the women’s movement and democratic rights campaigns since the 1970s. She has participated in numerous fact-finding missions investigating communal violence, state repression, and human rights violations, including her role in the International Tribunal on Justice for Gujarat in 2002.
Kavita Kane
With a pen as her weapon, Kavita Kane has reimagined Indian mythology through a feminist lens by giving voice to the silenced and forgotten women of ancient epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. A former journalist turned bestselling author, she has written seven powerful novels centered on mythological women, from Karna’s unnamed wife to the defiant Ahalya and the gifted Sarasvati. Her stories challenge patriarchal narratives and promote the agency of women in tradition bound texts. Kane’s work is a literary act of resistance, making her a transformative figure in contemporary Indian writing.
Impact Peace Heroes France
Yann Fradin
The gray sprawl of cities is slowly turning green thanks to the work of this ecological urbanist. Through his leadership at Espaces and Emmaüs France, Yann Fradin brings nature back into urban planning—restoring biodiversity, creating jobs, and reimagining public spaces as places for both ecological balance and social connection.
Vincent Touboul Flachaire
Transforming the simple act of watching an ad into a tool for global change, the founder of Goodeed has reimagined online philanthropy. By redirecting advertising revenue toward NGOs, he has made charitable giving accessible to millions through everyday digital behavior. Selected as an Obama Foundation Scholar, he stands at the forefront of digital solutions to global inequality.
Simon Bernard
Aboard a floating laboratory, this visionary mariner and engineer leads Plastic Odyssey, an expedition tackling ocean pollution with local solutions. His project promotes recycling technologies in coastal communities, especially in the Global South, addressing plastic at its source while building international awareness around consumption and waste.
Ryadh Sallem
Whether on the basketball court or in policy circles, Ryadh Sallem leads by example. His long-standing work with CAPSAA and advocacy in handisport programs champions dignity, autonomy, and inclusive employment for people with disabilities.
Pierre Moreau
At Be-Cause, collaboration is the engine of transformation. Bringing together NGOs, businesses, and public institutions, its founder designs partnerships that tackle social and environmental challenges in unison. His approach blends strategic consulting with mission-driven innovation, turning shared goals into measurable change.
Nicolas Hazard
Through INCO, Nicolas Hazard supports the next generation of startups solving real-world problems—from education to clean energy. His vision centers on a fairer economy where business success goes hand in hand with social and ecological progress.
Moussa Camara
With a powerful belief in the potential of underserved communities, Moussa Camara created Les Déterminés to support and train aspiring founders from disadvantaged backgrounds. His work fosters inclusive economic growth and restores hope and autonomy to youth often left on the margins, proving that entrepreneurship can be a vehicle for both dignity and peace.
Maud Caillaux
At just 26, Maud Caillaux co-founded Green-Got, a green banking startup that reinvents finance for the climate-conscious generation. By redirecting investments away from fossil fuels and toward sustainable initiatives, she helps citizens contribute to global harmony through their wallets.
Marie-Amélie Le Fur
From the Paralympic podium to boardroom leadership, Marie-Amélie Le Fur has become a symbol of strength and inclusivity. As president of France’s Paralympic Committee, she advocates for visibility, funding, and equality in adaptive sports across the country.
Julie Chapon
With Yuka, Julie Chapon has revolutionized how French consumers engage with food and health. The app’s clear scoring system for nutritional value and product safety empowers individuals to make more mindful choices, reinforcing public health from the ground up.
Lucie Basch
Saving a meal is as easy as opening an app, thanks to Lucie Basch, the co-founder of Too Good To Go. Her intuitive platform connects consumers with surplus food from restaurants and stores, fighting waste on a massive scale. With millions of meals saved across Europe, her work not only curbs emissions but also redefines the value of what we eat—and what we discard.
Jonathan Jeremiasz
At the helm of Mouvess – L’Agence Solidaire, Jonathan Jérémiasz focuses on building bridges between grassroots initiatives and public institutions. His work centers on strengthening the social economy by supporting organizations that promote civic participation, democratic innovation, and social cohesion.
Julia Faure
Disillusioned by the environmental toll of fast fashion, Julia Faure launched Loom to prove that clothing can be made with purpose, durability, and ecological respect. Committed to radical transparency, she works to reshape consumer expectations while pressuring the fashion industry toward a more ethical and sustainable framework.
Jamel Debbouze
More than just a celebrated comedian, Jamel Debbouze has long used his art to challenge cultural stereotypes and bring diverse audiences together. His creative work often underscores messages of tolerance, coexistence, and pride in multicultural identity.
Féris Barkat
In the heart of France’s suburbs, Féris Barkat launched Banlieue Climat to connect marginalized youth with climate activism. His approach blends ecology and social equity, showing that environmental justice must include voices from underrepresented communities.
Jean-Guy Henckel
Social inclusion takes root - quite literally - on the farms of the Réseau Cocagne. Founded by this seasoned changemaker, the network offers employment and dignity to individuals far from the labor market, using sustainable agriculture as a springboard for reintegration. His model stands as a testament to how land, labor, and solidarity can intertwine for common good.
Céline Mas
With a background in communication and sociology, Céline Mas heads UN Women France, amplifying the voices of women and advocating for policies that promote gender equity. Her leadership merges grassroots activism with institutional change, supporting programs that combat inequality and gender-based violence.
Cristina Lunghi
Through Arborus and the GEEIS (Gender Equality European & International Standard) label, Cristina Lunghi has transformed the way organizations approach gender balance. Her work provides measurable frameworks for companies to create inclusive workspaces, influencing corporate cultures across Europe and beyond.
Arthur Auboeuf
Co-founder of Team for the Planet, Arthur Auboeuf believes climate change solutions must be collective. His platform allows everyday citizens to co-invest in open-source climate innovations, democratizing environmental impact and forging a model of shared responsibility that spans across borders and industries.
Fréderic Mazzella
Paving the way for a low-carbon future, Fréderic Mazzella, the founder of BlaBlaCar introduced a carpooling revolution that brought millions into shared, eco-friendly travel. Now focused on broadening the scope of digital platforms for social good, he promotes a model where innovation, environmental responsibility, and solidarity can co-exist—and flourish—within the tech economy.
Alizée Lozac’hmeur
At the heart of MakeSense lies a vision for citizen-powered change, brought to life by a leader who believes in the strength of communities. Through immersive programs, social business incubators, and civic mobilization efforts, Alizée Lozac’hmeur supports local and global actors in creating innovative responses to climate, social justice, and economic challenges—fostering real-world impact through shared purpose.
Eva Sadou
Bridging the gap between finance and ethics, Eva Sadou has built platforms like LITA.co and RIFT to empower individuals to invest in companies aligned with their values. Advocating for transparency and democratic participation in finance, her work opens new pathways for socially responsible investing while challenging the traditional profit-driven paradigms of the financial sector.
Claire Nouvian
Few environmental battles have been as driven or as effective as those led by the founder of the NGO BLOOM, Claire Nouvian.. Her campaigns have succeeded in influencing EU policy on bottom trawling and marine protection, combining scientific rigor with bold activism. Awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize, she remains a pivotal force in defending the biodiversity of our oceans from industrial overreach.
Mamadou Dembele
Through storytelling and social media, Mamadou Dembélé turns abstract concepts into relatable calls to action. By highlighting grassroots changemakers and sustainable innovations, he builds a positive narrative around ecological transition—mobilizing a new generation to see environmental action not as sacrifice, but as opportunity.
Anne-cécile Mailfert
As the driving force behind the Fondation des Femmes, Anne-Cécile Mailfert has been a pivotal figure in France’s modern feminist movement. Her work centers on fighting gender-based violence and supporting women's rights through legal, financial, and political means. Under her leadership, the foundation has empowered countless grassroots initiatives and shaped national debates on equality.
Camille Etienne
With a fierce determination to safeguard the planet’s most vulnerable ecosystems, this young environmental advocate has taken a leading role in the fight against deep-sea mining. By spotlighting the irreversible damage such industrial practices could inflict, Camille Etienne mobilizes youth movements, policymakers, and international coalitions to uphold oceanic integrity and promote sustainable resource management.
African Peace Heroes
Amilcar Cabral
Amílcar Cabral a theorist and strategist of the anti-colonial struggle, Amílcar Cabral led the independence movement of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. He advocated for an approach based on education and consciousness-raising rather than unnecessary violence. His assassination in 1973 did not prevent Guinea-Bissau from gaining independence shortly after his death.
Amina J. Mohammed
Amina J. Mohammed is the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, serving as an advocate for sustainable development and women’s rights. She has been instrumental in advancing the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A former Minister of Environment in Nigeria, she has played a key role in advocating for climate change action and social justice on a global scale.
Desmond Tutu
Archbishop and human rights activist, Desmond Tutu played a pivotal role in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. As chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he advocated for restorative justice and forgiveness after the end of the segregationist regime. A Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 1984, he remained a champion of the oppressed until his death in 2021.
Alpha Oumar Konare
Former president of Mali (1992-2002), Alpha Oumar Konaré made history by consolidating democracy and advocating for peace in West Africa. He later chaired the African Union Commission (2003-2008), playing a major role in conflict mediation across the continent. His commitment to African integration and good governance solidified his role as a key figure in African diplomacy.
Goodluck Jonathan
President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, Goodluck Jonathan made history by peacefully accepting election results and handing over power to his successor. His actions helped prevent a political crisis and strengthened democracy in the country. Since leaving office, he has been involved in mediating conflicts across Africa.
Ken Saro-Wiwa
Ken Saro-Wiwa, a writer and environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa denounced the pollution caused by oil extraction in the Niger Delta. A pacifist, he defended the rights of indigenous people against multinational corporations. His execution in 1995 by the Nigerian military regime sparked global outrage and strengthened the fight for environmental justice in Africa.
Mohamed Ibn Chambas
A distinguished diplomat, Mohamed Ibn Chambas has made significant contributions to peace efforts in Africa, particularly in the West African region. Serving as the United Nations Special Representative for West Africa, he played a vital role in peacekeeping, conflict resolution, and promoting democracy. His work in various international diplomatic positions continues to have a lasting impact on the continent’s peace and stability.
Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah leader of Ghana’s independence in 1957, Kwame Nkrumah was a strong advocate for Pan-Africanism and African unity. As Ghana’s first president, he worked toward the decolonization of the continent and the creation of Pan-African institutions. His efforts contributed to the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union.
Denis Mukwege
Denis Mukwege (DR Congo). A gynecologist and women’s rights activist, Denis Mukwege treats victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His fight against the use of rape as a weapon of war earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018. His work has raised global awareness about the need to protect women in conflict zones.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Africa’s first elected female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf led Liberia from 2006 to 2018, after years of civil war. Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2011, she worked toward national reconciliation, rebuilding the country, and promoting women’s rights. Her leadership helped stabilize Liberia and attract international investments for development.
Graça Machel
A women’s rights and education activist, Graça Machel dedicated her life to improving the conditions of children and women in Africa. She was the First Lady of Mozambique before becoming the wife of Nelson Mandela. Machel is also a key figure in promoting children’s rights globally and played a major role in the establishment of UNICEF.
Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan as UN Secretary-General from 1997 to 2006, Kofi Annan worked tirelessly for global diplomacy and human rights. In 2001, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to strengthen international cooperation. He played a crucial role in resolving conflicts in Africa and promoting the Millennium Development Goals.
Mariama Bâ
Mariama Bâ, a writer and feminist activist, Mariama Bâ used literature to expose social injustices and gender inequalities. Her novel So Long a Letter is a landmark work of African feminism, advocating for women’s empowerment through education and awareness. Her work has contributed to advancing discussions on women’s rights and social peace in Africa.
Patrice Lulumba
As the first prime minister of independent Congo in 1960, Patrice Lumumba became a symbol of African resistance to colonialism and imperialism. His leadership was tragically cut short when he was assassinated later that year. Despite his brief tenure, Lumumba’s vision for a free, united, and self-sufficient Africa continues to inspire African liberation movements.
Wangari Maathai
The first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, which led to the planting of millions of trees to combat deforestation and environmental degradation in Africa. A women's rights and peace activist, she also worked to promote democracy and human rights in Kenya and beyond. Her legacy remains a model for environmental and social activism.
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela a symbol of the fight against apartheid, Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison before becoming South Africa’s first Black president in 1994. His commitment to national reconciliation helped prevent a civil war and laid the foundation for a multiracial democracy. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, he advocated for tolerance and forgiveness, becoming a universal icon of peace and justice.
Indigenous Peace Heroes of Brazil
Ailton Krenak
Indigenous leader, environmentalist and writer, belonging to the Krenak people. He founded the Núcleo de Cultura Indígena organisation to promote indigenous culture. Since 1980, he has dedicated himself to the protection of indigenous peoples and the environment. He is very important for his participation in the elaboration of the Brazilian Constitution of 1988 as a representative of Indigenous peoples. During one of the sessions, while speaking from the podium, he painted his face with black jenipappo paint, in keeping with traditional Brazilian indigenous custom, to protest what he saw as a step backwards in the fight for Brazilian Indigenous rights.
Cristine Takuá
Indigenous writer, philosopher, educator and artisan belonging to the Maxacali ethnic group. She is a member of the Guarani Yvyrupa Commission (CGY), an indigenous organisation founded in 2006 that brings together Guarani groups from the south and south-east of Brazil engaged in territorial struggles. She is also the founder of the Forum for the Articulation of Indigenous Teachers of São Paulo and a representative of the Indigenous Education Centre of the São Paulo State Department of Education.
Daniel Munduruku
Indigenous author and educator from the Munduruku indigenous people. He promotes traditional indigenous stories through the children’s books he writes, and is involved in many organizations that promote the culture and literature of Brazil’s indigenous peoples.
Hamangaí Pataxó Hã-Hã-Hãe
Indigenous woman of mixed heritage, descendant from both the Pataxó Hã-Hã-Hãe people and the Terena people. She is an activist that highlights the importance of preserving nature and aims to motivate young indigenous people like her to continue their duty of protecting it. She has participated in many conferences where she promoted her goal of continuing the work of her ancestors.
Sonia Ará Mirim
Sonia Ará Mirim is a descendant of the Xukuru-Kariri people of the Northeast, but she was adopted by the Guarani of São Paulo and became an indigenous leader of the Guarani Mbya. An environmentalist and defender of indigenous rights, Sonia Ará Mirim formed a group of forest firefighters to fight fires in the Jaraguá region, one of the few areas of Atlantic Forest left in the state of São Paulo. In January 2020, she led the resistance movement against the Tenda construction company, which wanted to build a five-building luxury development on land adjacent to the Jaraguá Indians’ land, where 700 Guarani live.
Joênia Wapichana (Wapixana)
Brazil’s first indigenous lawyer, she is a member of the Wapixana tribe of Brazil and the current president of the National Commission for the Defense of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. She worked on the demarcation of the Raposa do Sol indigenous reserve in Roraima, Brazil, as well as in the legal department of the Indigenous Council of Roraima, defending the rights of indigenous peoples to own their land in the Northern region of Brazil. She fights against the expansion of illegal gold mining in the Amazon. In 2018 she was awarded with the UN Prize in the field of Human Rights.
Célia Xakriabá
Indigenous educator and activist from the Xakriabá of Brazil, campaigning for the rights and status of indigenous women, endangered Indigenous languages and for the demarcation of indigenous land. She has denounced the systemic racism that people like her face in society for being indigenous and talked about the importance of preserving her community’s territory.
Daiara Tukano
Indigenous activist and artist, descendant of the Tukano people from the Rio Negro in Amazonas, on the border between Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. She has Master’s degree in Human Rights and she researched the right of memory and truth for indigenous peoples. Her role as an activist goes hand in hand with her profession as an artist as she explores her culture and its history through her art, bringing awareness to it.
Davi Kopenawa
Shaman,eco-activist and spokesman for the indigenous Yanomami community of Brazil. He advocates for the conservation of nature and the environment on a global scale. He brought awareness to the suffering of the Yanomami in Brazil caused by illegal gold miners and fought for the recognition of the areas inhabited by the Yanomami, which were eventually recognized by the Brazilian government. He won many awards, notably the UN Global 500 award in 1989.
Jacir de Souza Macuxi
Belonging to the Macuxi people of Brazil, he is one of the main defenders of the recognition of the Raposa Serra do Sol indigenous territory in the state of Roraima. He united all the tuxauas (chiefs) in the region to help community leaders fight against the advancin mining operations on indigenous land. His actions succeeded and led to several indigenous communities joining the initiative which resulted in the creation of the Indigenous Council of Roraima to defend the rights of the indigenous peoples of Roraima.
Raoni Metuktire (or Ropni)
He is an Indigenous Brazilian leader and chief belonging to the Kayapó (or caiapó) ethnic group from the Krajmopyjakare village in north-eastern Mato Grosso. He is an environmentalist known for his fight for the preservation of the Amazon rainforest and indigenous culture. His actions led to the creation of the Rainforest Foundation to protect Indigenous territory and they successfully paved the way for the demarcation of large indigenous lands in the country. Raoni was nominated in 2020 for the Nobel Peace Prize for his lifelong defence of the forest.
Sonia Guajajara
Activist and leader of the Guajajara people, Sonia Guajajara has been one of the most important figures in the indigenous struggle in recent years. A native of Maranhão in Brazil, she has made a career out of defending indigenous rights, particularly in the area of land demarcation and conservation of the Amazon. In 2023, she became Brazil’s first Minister for Indigenous Peoples.