UNANIMA International’s 2022 Woman of Courage Award Winner:
Helena Maleno Garzón
For many years now, UNANIMA International has presented an annual “Woman of Courage Award,” which honors Women from around the World who have exhibited exceptional courage and leadership to make a difference in their communities. Each year nominations are submitted by our member congregations, and a vote is held by UNANIMA International’s Board of Directors.
We are excited to announced that our 2022 award will go to Helena Maleno Garzón, a researcher, investigator, journalist, and activist who stands up for the rights of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and victims of human trafficking who attempt to reach Europe by sea and land. In her reporting she has denounced human rights violations on the Spanish Southern Border and works with migrant communities in defense of their rights.
In 2002 Helena founded Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders), an organization that rescues sea vessels carrying migrants that are in danger of sinking, and provides support for them once they arrive in Europe. It is estimated that she has saved at least ten thousand lives through her work relaying the locations of sinking sea vessels to Spanish naval authorities. Helena continues to do this work despite ongoing judicial harassment and threats from the governments of Morocco and Spain, who have criminalized her efforts.
For more information about Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders) click here: https://caminandofronteras.org
