Edna Adan Ismail of Somaliland is receiving the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice 2025 on Dec. 21 at a function in Mumbai, which recognizes her pioneering leadership and lifelong work to improve maternal health and combat female genital mutilation. (Photo: supplied)
Mother Teresa award goes to Somaliland health advocate, seven others
Edna Adan Ismail of Somaliland is receiving the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice 2025 on Dec. 21 at a function in Mumbai, which recognizes her pioneering leadership and lifelong work to improve maternal health and combat female genital mutilation. (Photo: supplied)
An India-based voluntary organization has conferred its Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice 2025 on Edna Adan Ismail of Somaliland and seven others for contributions spanning maternal health, women’s rights, environmental conservation, and medical services.
Ismail, from Somaliland, a self-declared independent region internationally recognized as an autonomous part of Somalia, received the award on Dec. 21 at a function in Mumbai.
She was cited for her pioneering leadership and lifelong work to improve maternal health and combat female genital mutilation.
As the first qualified nurse of my country, Somaliland, I am honored to receive this great award with deep humility, Ismail said after the ceremony, adding that she was especially moved because the award bears the name of Mother Teresa.
Abraham Mathai, founder and chairman of the Mumbai-based Harmony Foundation, which instituted the award in 2005, said Ismail is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential women and a leading advocate for women’s health in the Horn of Africa.
She is a model of social justice that does not depend on slogans, but on outcomes, Mathai said.
The award named after Mother Teresa is the only one officially recognized by the Missionaries of Charity, the religious order she founded. It includes a trophy of St. Mother Teresa and a
Mother Teresa award goes to Somaliland health advocate, seven others
The award named after Mother Teresa is the only one officially recognized by the Missionaries of Charity
Michael Gonsalves
Michael GonsalvesUpdated: December 23, 2025 11:21 AM GMT
Mother Teresa award goes to Somaliland health advocate, seven others
Edna Adan Ismail of Somaliland is receiving the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice 2025 on Dec. 21 at a function in Mumbai, which recognizes her pioneering leadership and lifelong work to improve maternal health and combat female genital mutilation. (Photo: supplied)
An India-based voluntary organization has conferred its Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice 2025 on Edna Adan Ismail of Somaliland and seven others for contributions spanning maternal health, women’s rights, environmental conservation, and medical services.
Ismail, from Somaliland, a self-declared independent region internationally recognized as an autonomous part of Somalia, received the award on Dec. 21 at a function in Mumbai.
She was cited for her pioneering leadership and lifelong work to improve maternal health and combat female genital mutilation.
As the first qualified nurse of my country, Somaliland, I am honored to receive this great award with deep humility, Ismail said after the ceremony, adding that she was especially moved because the award bears the name of Mother Teresa.
Abraham Mathai, founder and chairman of the Mumbai-based Harmony Foundation, which instituted the award in 2005, said Ismail is widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential women and a leading advocate for women’s health in the Horn of Africa.
She is a model of social justice that does not depend on slogans, but on outcomes, Mathai said.
The award named after Mother Teresa is the only one officially recognized by the Missionaries of Charity, the religious order she founded. It includes a trophy of St. Mother Teresa and a citation.
The 2025 awards also honored Congolese gynecologist Denis Mukwege for his medical care and advocacy for survivors of rape and sexual violence in eastern Congo.
Mukwege was unable to attend the ceremony due to health concerns and the strain of living in exile, but sent a video message thanking organizers, Mathai said.
Indian environmentalist Swami Prem Parivartan was recognized for his decades-long efforts to plant and conserve millions of trees nationwide.
Accepting the award, Parivartan said it belonged to every tree saved and every person who believes that caring for nature is caring for humanity.
Physician Ganesh Rakh received the award for his Save the Girl Child initiative, under which he waived medical fees for the birth of girls to promote gender equality.
Rakh said the honor reflected a collective commitment to compassion and dignity in health care.
Other recipients included social activists Safeena Husain, Rajendra Singh, and Heba Elsewedy, as well as the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The ceremony marked the 21st year of the awards and carried the theme Guardians of Humanity.
Mathai said the honors recognize individuals and organizations whose work reflects Mother Teresa’s legacy of compassion and selfless service at a time of global conflict, humanitarian crises, climate change and growing social inequality.
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