As part of the World Population Day Special Symposium held in Tokyo on 6th July (click here for details), the 10th and final Kato Shidzue Award was presented.

The award was initiated by Dr. Attiya Inayatullah then, President, IPPF, in 1996 to inspire and support women in recognition of the pioneering activities in family planning and women's liberation by Shidzue Kato. Kato was the President, Family Planning Federation of Japan, and JOICFP, until her death in 2001 at the age of 104. Kato was the first Japanese national to be awarded the UN Population Award in 1988.

The award targets women's groups, organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions toward the improvement of sexual and reproductive health and rights of women, and empowerment of women both in Japan and developing countries.

In the ten years of the award, around 250 organizations have applied for it. In addition to working with promotion of women's reproductive health and rights, the organizations have been concerned with support for victims of domestic violence (DV), human rights, substance abuse, and ending human trafficking. Altogether, 16 groups have been awarded.

This year, the selection committee: Mieko Takenobu, journalist; Yoko Hayashi, lawyer; Yoshiko Misumi, Chairperson, Asian Forum of Women's Exchange and Study; Azusa Miyako, Head of Nurses, Tokyo Kosei Nenkin Hospital; and Yoriko Meguro, Prof., Jyochi University, chose DV Prevention, Nagasaki, and House for Women Saalaa, as the recipients of the award.

Taki Kato " I believe the spirit, passion, pride
and action of my mother and Margaret Sanger
will be succeeded by the next generation
after the termination of the award.
Their pioneering spirits are always with them."
Showing a picture of her mother taken
on her 100th birthday, Taki Kato quoted her as saying
then "I am a one-hundred-years-old fighting woman."

IPPF message

In a congratulatory message on behalf of IPPF, Jaqueline Sharpe, President, IPPF, congratulated the winners and praised their work, saying that gender-based violence kills and disables as many women between the ages of 15 and 44 as cancer does.

She went on to say that the awardees were making an enormous positive difference to the lives of many women, and that she applauded their dedication and vision as they strongly echoed the values of Madam Kato.

DV Prevention,Nagasaki (DVPN)

Established in 2002, DVPN is unique in that it aims to prevent domestic violence rather than offer support to victims. DVPN has developed a school-based advocacy program to prevent DV, and over 8,000 high school and university students have been exposed to its program.

In surveys conducted by DVPN to assess the impact of the program, it was found that, for example, 10% of female high school students and 14% of university students had experienced 'date violence'.

DVPN has published a booklet "Do you know about date violence", organizes lecture meetings, and operates a women's telephone hotline.

House for Women Saalaa

Established in 1992, The House for Women Saalaa is a shelter for Japanese and foreign women in Japan, and accommodates women, including trafficking victims, and assists with translation services and with repatriation. The shelter operates a telephone consultation service in many languages, and provides referrals to legal services.

Since 2004, Saalaa has been working closely with national and local government after the enactment of law to prevent human trafficking. Saalaa now thinks it necessary to work with overseas governments to help repatriate women who have been trafficked to Japan.

Human trafficking is closely related to organized crime, and Saalaa staff are to be commended for working in difficult and dangerous situations.

Also honored at the award ceremony was Yuriko Ashino, former Deputy Executive Director, Family Planning Federation of Japan, for her long years of service there. Ashino was a dedicated follower of Shidzue Kato, and she has been carrying on her tradition of bravely fighting for women's rights.

The awardees, members of the selection committee
and JOICFP at the award ceremony