UNFPA presents HM Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck an award

Coinciding with the United Nations (UN) Day celebration today, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) presented an award to Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck, in recognition of Her Majesty’s role in helping advance the rights of women and girls in Bhutan as the Goodwill Ambassador of UNFPA for the last 20 years.

The UNFPA’s Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem presented the award to Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck

Dr Natalia Kanem acknowledged the contribution by Her Majesty and for being a driving force behind UNFPA’s advocacy efforts in Bhutan. She commended Her Majesty for being a strong role model for women and girls in Bhutan and travelling to remote villages of the country to raise awareness on issues ranging from safe motherhood to sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.

Her Majesty accepted the role of UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador in January 1999. Since then, Her Majesty has led numerous advocacy programs on HIV/AIDS, reproductive, sexual and mental health throughout the country.

Her Majesty also established a civil society organisation named, Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women (RENEW) in 2004, to empower vulnerable women especially victims and survivors of domestic violence.

Her Majesty Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck also graced the 74th anniversary of the establishment of the UN Day by lighting 1,000 butter lamps at the Tara Lha-Den Zhingkam, Pangrizampa in Thimphu

Bhutan became a member of the UN in September 1971.

Pema Seldon Tshering