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French award honors Latvian NGO’s tireless support for women victims of violence in Latvia and Ukraine
The Marta Center, a prominent Latvian NGO dedicated to supporting women survivors of violence, was awarded the prestigious Simone Veil Prize on Friday in Paris. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented the honor, recognizing the organization’s critical work in both Latvia and Ukraine.
A Lifeline for Women in Crisis
The Marta Center has been at the forefront of advocating for women’s rights, providing comprehensive legal, psychological, and social support to victims of violence. During the award ceremony, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, highlighted the NGO’s efforts, noting that since 2025, it had aided over 700 women and girls in Latvia who had suffered from violence or sexual exploitation.
With the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Marta Center has extended its reach across the border to offer vital support to Ukrainian women caught in the violence. Through local partnerships, the organization has helped women fleeing conflict by securing shelter, offering legal assistance, and providing psychological care.
“This award gives us strength and the practical means to continue,” said Iluta Lace, the founder of the Marta Center, in her reaction to the recognition.
The Simone Veil Prize and Its Significance
The Simone Veil Prize, named after the former French Minister of Health and human rights icon, was established in 2019 to honor those who work toward gender equality and combat violence and discrimination against women. This year, the prize also acknowledged the Marta Center’s efforts in upholding the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty designed to prevent violence against women.
The jury, chaired by magistrate Ombeline Mahuzier, emphasized the importance of the Marta Center’s dedication to ensuring the sustainability of this critical legal framework. The award aims to send a “strong message” to organizations across Europe about resisting efforts to undermine the Convention’s principles.
“In a world where rights can be fragile, this work is more important than ever,” Mahuzier said during the ceremony.
However, the future of the Istanbul Convention in Latvia remains uncertain. In late October 2025, a majority of Latvian MPs voted in favor of withdrawing from the treaty, which had been ratified only the year before. Critics of the Convention claimed it represented a foreign ideology, rejecting the concept of “gender” in favor of a focus on biological sex.
Despite the setback, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics vetoed the move, sending the legislation back to Parliament for reconsideration. The MPs postponed the discussion until November 2026, after the next round of parliamentary elections.
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Source: This article was originally published in another language by International : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr. and has been translated and adapted for our global English-speaking audience. Read the original article here.