Nina Sibal Memorial Award  FUNCTION

AIWEFA is dedicated to the cause of gender equity and is focusing on improving women’s status while creating a network to promote women’s development. Our mission is to work for the empowerment of women through education and economic self-reliance.

In 2003 AIWEFA instituted the Annual AIWEFA Nina Sibal Memorial Award to honour an organization working for children with special needs.

For the last 23 years through this award AIWEFA acknowledged innovative and exceptional organizational work for children with disabilities. From 2026 AIWEFA expands the scope of the award to include a dedicated focus on Women in Distress, acknowledging organizations working with women facing acute social, economic, and psychological vulnerabilities. These women often experience exclusion, lack of access to basic rights, and limited support systems, requiring targeted interventions for protection, rehabilitation, and empowerment. Under this category, the award will recognize impactful work across the listed areas.

Concept Note for XXIV AIWEFA NSA 2026

Event focus:

The AIWEFA Nina Sibal Memorial Award was instituted in 2003 to honour an Organisation working with disabilities, this year the focus will be on ‘Women in Distress’. The Award pays tribute to the memory of Ms. Nina Sibal, an IFS officer, posted at the United Nations, who tragically lost her battle to cancer. The AIWEFA, established in 1929 under the inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi, administers the Award of Rs. 10 lakhs, a Trophy and a Citation.