The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) has finally announced the four finalists for the 2023 Women Building Peace Award.

The Women Building Peace Award is given each year to a woman peacebuilder who has made a major contribution to the pursuit of peace and security in her country.

Among the finalists is Mombasa based activist Hamisa Zaja.

Zaja has been very instrumental in fighting for the rights of the marginalized especially persons living with disabilities in Mombasa county. She has also been championing for peace not only in the county but country at large.

This year, USIP received over 150 nominations from 42 countries.

Other finalists selected by the council of distinguished experts and leaders are Dr. Marie-Marcelle H. Deschamps of Haiti, Abir Haj Ibrahim of Syria, Petronille Vaweka of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

"The 2023 finalists are extraordinary women," said Lise Grande, USIP's president and CEO.

Adding "Leading on the front lines every day, in some of the most difficult environments imaginable and often at great personal risk, these women have built peace in their communities and countries by forging alliances, resolving grievances, fighting for rights and protecting people from violence. It is with great honor that we announce these finalists on the eve of the anniversary of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.” 

UNSCR 1325 addresses how women and girls are disproportionally impacted by violent conflict and war, and recognizes the critical role that women can and already do play in peacebuilding efforts.

“These four remarkable women expand the imagination of what peacebuilding looks like,” said Dr. Kathleen Kuehnast, director of USIP’s Women, Peace and Security program.

Adding “Peace mediator, peace ambassador, peace activist, humanitarian peacemaker all are different ways of understanding what women peacebuilders look like.”

The recipient of this year's award will be announced in late November.

USIP was established by Congress in 1984 as an independent, nonpartisan public institute dedicated to helping to prevent, mitigate and resolve violent conflict abroad.