The award ceremony in Tampere

Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, first-ever recipient of the International Gender Equality Prize, was honoured at an award ceremony on 6 March 2018 in Tampere.

The cause chosen by Chancellor Merkel to be granted the EUR 150,000 prize, SOS Femmes et Enfants Victimes de Violance Familiale from Niger, was announced during the event.

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä and Anna-Kaisa Ikonen, Chair of the Tampere City Council, hosted the award ceremony.

An international expert panel on violence against women was held in connection with the event. The panel discussion was opened by Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Annika Saarikko. The members of the panel were Jeannette Bougrab, Director of Institut français de Finlande; Katja Iversen, President/CEO of Women Deliver; Dean Peacock, Co-Executive Director of Sonke Gender Justice; and Katja Pehrman, Senior Adviser at UN Women.

A recording of the ceremony is available here

Award ceremony on 6 March 2018

Salla Paajanen, who hosted the event, extended a warm welcome to all the guests. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

Anna-Kaisa Ikonen, Chair of Tampere City Council, highlighted in her speech the city’s strong tradition in gender equality and women's participation in society. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä said in his speech that the purpose of the prize is to foster gender equality throughout the world. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

Guests at Tampere Hall. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

Takomo Percussion and Eeva Kontu arranged the theme music for the event. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

It is therefore worth the effort – wherever in the world we may be – to work to promote a culture of gender equality, said Chancellor Merkel in her video greeting. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

Chancellor Merkel has highlighted one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today, Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said in her video greeting. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

The award trophy, a unique work of art in blown glass placed on a stone pedestal, was designed by Aamu Song and Johan Olin. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

Detlef Lingemann, Germany’s Ambassador to Finland, received the prize on behalf of Chancellor Merkel. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

Mariama Moussa, who is internationally renowned for promoting the rights of women and girls, was very pleased with the support her organisation received. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

Dancer Nelli Ojapalo performed together with Takomo Percussion. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

Every woman and every girl on this planet has the right to live free from violence and the fear of violence, said Annika Saarikko, Finland’s Minister responsible for equality issues. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

The panelists Katja Pehrson (on the left) from UN Women, Dean Peacock from Sonke Gender Justice, Katja Iversen from Women Deliver and Jeannette Bougrab from Institut français de Finlande. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

The International Panel called for more robust strategies to stop violence against women. Dean Peacock is one of the founding members of the South African Sonke Gender Justice. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

Finnish photographer Meeri Koutaniemi’s photographs were on exhibit at the reception after the ceremony. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

Meeri Koutaniemi is recognised for her photographic reporting on human rights and minorities. Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office

Mariama Moussa (on the left) gave a work of art from Niger to Annika Saarikko (on the right). Photo: Ella Kiviniemi / Prime Minister's Office