¨     The Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust has announced that Graça Machel, a human rights activist and social worker from Mozambique, has been selected for the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for the year 2025.

¨     The selection was made by an international jury chaired by former National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon.
¨     The award recognises her path-breaking contributions in education, health, nutrition, economic empowerment and humanitarian action.
¨     The prize carries a cash award of ₹1 crore along with a citation and a trophy.
¨     Graca Machel has been described as a distinguished African stateswoman and a global human rights advocate.
¨     Her life’s work has remained rooted in the struggle for self-determination and the protection of vulnerable communities.
¨     In the 1990s, she led a landmark United Nations study on the impact of armed conflict on children.
¨     The study reshaped international humanitarian responses and child protection policies worldwide.
¨     She has served on several international bodies and founded institutions promoting women’s empowerment and child development.
¨     Ms. Machel was married to Nelson Mandela and served as the First Lady of South Africa.
¨     She was also the First Lady of Mozambique as the widow of former President Samora Machel.