Why in news?
Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet was awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2024 on 20 November 2025. The award recognises her lifelong dedication to human rights, gender equality and social justice. The prize was presented by Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, at a ceremony in New Delhi.
Background
The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize was instituted in 1986 by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust to honour outstanding contributions toward peace, disarmament and development. The prize consists of a citation and a cash award of ₹25 lakh. Past recipients include Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev, UNICEF, Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan, Angela Merkel, the International Solar Alliance and others.
Michelle Bachelet Jeria, a physician by training, became the first female president of Chile, serving two terms (2006–2010 and 2014–2018). Earlier, she survived imprisonment and torture under the Pinochet dictatorship, an experience that shaped her later advocacy. After leaving office she served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2018 to 2022. Throughout her career she has championed universal access to education, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights and social inclusion. She also criticised policies that discriminate against minorities, including India’s Citizenship Amendment Act, highlighting her commitment to global human rights.
Highlights of the award
- Recognition of human rights leadership: The award citation praised Bachelet for upholding democratic values in Chile, advancing women’s rights and defending marginalized communities worldwide.
- Role as UN human rights chief: As High Commissioner she spoke out against abuses in Myanmar, Syria, Xinjiang and other regions, demonstrating impartiality and moral courage.
- Solidarity with India’s legacy: In her acceptance remarks Bachelet noted Indira Gandhi’s efforts to enlarge freedom while pursuing peace and expressed solidarity with India’s commitment to pluralism and social justice.
- Contextual relevance: The award ceremony took place amid global debates on human rights and democracy. Honouring Bachelet reinforces the importance of protecting civil liberties and empowering women in political life.
Significance
By conferring the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize on Michelle Bachelet, India acknowledges a global champion of social justice. Her life story—surviving dictatorship, leading her nation and defending human rights on the world stage—illustrates resilience and moral leadership. The prize also underscores the continuing relevance of Indira Gandhi’s vision of peace and inclusive development in contemporary geopolitics.
Source: Indian Express · The Print