UN Trailblazer Award Week to Celebrate Women Leaders in Justice and Corrections

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The award ceremony, scheduled for October 8 at the ECOSOC Chamber in UN Headquarters, will be complemented by five specialized side events spanning October 6-10, addressing crucial challenges in justice and corrections systems in conflict-affected environments.

 

The International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) will be well-represented at the events, with Board Members Marayca Lopez and Pedro das Neves attending the full UN Trailblazer week from October 6-10. Their presence underscores ICPA's commitment to supporting gender-responsive approaches in corrections and justice systems globally.

 

"These events not only celebrate the exceptional women leading in corrections and justice roles but also provide vital platforms for sharing innovations and best practices," said Natalie Boal, Executive Director of ICPA. "The participation of our board members reflects our organisation's dedication to advancing standards in these critical fields."

 

The week begins on October 6 with an event focused on implementing the Nelson Mandela and Bangkok Rules in challenging prison environments, co-hosted by several UN departments and permanent missions. The session will feature insights from Saye Ndim of Senegal, a Trailblazer Award shortlisted candidate.

 

On October 7, two parallel events will address gender-responsive prison leadership and the integration of customary and statutory justice systems. The morning session at the Permanent Mission of Canada will spotlight Trailblazer candidate Victorine Mana of Cameroon, while the afternoon event at the German Mission will feature candidate Lena Ellen Becker and justice expert Michelle Doerlemann.

 

Following the October 8 award ceremony, the dialogue continues on October 9 with a critical examination of mental health in prisons and trauma-informed design, featuring shortlisted candidate Olukemi Ibikunle of Nigeria alongside experts from multiple organizations including the Swedish Prison and Probation Service and Penal Reform International.

 

The series concludes on October 10 with a timely discussion on climate change impacts on prison systems, spotlighting nominee Sarah Adole of Nigeria alongside representatives from UNEP, ICRC, and national prison services.

 

All events will be held in hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and remote participation through dedicated registration links available on the UN website. The series represents an unprecedented opportunity for knowledge exchange in the fields of justice and corrections, particularly in conflict-affected settings.

 

For more information and to register for these events, interested parties are encouraged to use the registration links provided for each session.

 

• 6 October: Implementing the Nelson Mandela and Bangkok Rules in Overcrowded and Resource-Scarce Environments - Register
• 7 October (Morning): Gender Responsive Prison Leadership as a Key Factor in Ensuring Safety and Stability in Conflict and Post-Conflict Environments - Register
• 7 October (Afternoon): Bridging the Divide between Customary and Statutory Justice in Conflict-affected Environments - Register
• 8 October: Award Ceremony for the 2025 United Nations Trailblazer Award for Women Justice and Corrections Officers - Register
• 9 October: Mental Health in Prisons: Trauma Informed Prison Design - Register
• 10 October: Climate, Peace and Security from a Prison Perspective - Register