Magdalena Bidau Soares
East Timorese peace and women's rights activist
Magdalena Bidau Soares | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Timor-Leste (East Timor) |
| Occupation | Peace activist |
| Known for | N-Peace Award recipient |
Magdalena Bidau Soares is an East Timorese peace activist and recipient of the N-Peace Award in 2013.[1]
In 1975 Soares was forced to flee her village during the Indonesian occupation of East Timor. She became part of the guerrilla movement resisting the occupation. She was captured and imprisoned. After her release she continued her resistance activities by joining the Popular Women’s Organisation Timor (OPMT). Once the occupation was over, in 1999, Soares turned her attention to peace activism and improving the lives of others. She founded the organization Feto Haluk Hadomi Timor which works with widows of ex-combatants, providing training for income-generating activities like farming and crafts.[2]
In 2013 Soares was one of the eight recipients of the N-Peace Award.[3][4] She was awarded the prize for her peace, educational and income-generating initiatives for the underprivileged East Timorese.[5]
References
- ^ "Women peace activists in Asia take center stage at UNDP gala award event". UNDP. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Magdalena Bidau Soares". N-PEACE. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Introducing eight N-Peace Awardees 2013". UNDP in Indonesia. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Timor felicita Magdalena Bidau Soares por prémio regional em prol da paz". SAPO Notícias. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "East Timor". Daily Positive (D+). Arif Systems. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
External links
- An ex-guerrilla fighter turned peace advocate: Magdalena Bidau Soares wins the N-Peace Awards 2013 YouTube video
