Veneranda Nzambazamariya

Veneranda Nzambazamariya "was an outstanding leader in Rwanda's women's movement. Immediately after the genocide in 1994, Veneranda was among the handful of women who courageously urged Rwandan women to rise above ethnic differences and come together to rebuild the country. She was a founding member of Reseau des Femmes and Pro-Femmes Twese Hamwe, two dynamic women's organisations in Rwanda. She was equally active in promoting women's issues throughout the continent and was a committed member of the Women's Committee for Peace and Development. In a tribute to Veneranda earlier this year, the members of the Committee said "she always stressed that as people in the region we cannot afford to divide ourselves." Veneranda died in a Kenya Airways crash in January 2000. Judith Kanakuze (right photograph) from Reseau des Femmes received the award on behalf of Veneranda."

• Winner of the Millenium Peace Prize