In 2019, renowned indian ecologist Vandana Shiva and ethiopian Ruhama Getahun became the International Award laureates on the theme “Living soils challenge”.

In 2020, the Terre de Femmes International Award will recognise grassroots actions carried out by local communities, preferably women, that contribute to improved knowledge of medicinal plants, how they are grown and their use in the field of human health and well-being.

According to the World Health Organization, between 14 and 28 per cent of the world’s plants are listed as having a medical use and nearly 80 per cent of rural populations in developing countries use medicinal plants for primary health care needs.Reflecting age-old practices, medicinal plants have become a modern-day talking point following the growing interest in phytotherapy among the general public.

In its second year, the International Award will recognise a project led by a woman or group of women from an association or community network whose main objective relates directly to medicinal plants as part of a biodiversity approach.

Examples include projects involving:

• Growing and processing medicinal and aromatic plants
• Traditional cooperatives and programmes to help disseminate age-old methods of growing these plants, create urban herb gardens, raise awareness of phytotherapy, etc.

Application Deadline: 15 November 2019