Jeddah,13.4.09
The Islamic Development Bank announced that the Selection Committee for the Bank’s prize for “Women’s Contribution to Development” for 1430H unanimously decided to award this year’s prize (for individuals) to Mrs. Nadia Ahmed Abu Al Futouh, chairperson of Women and Development Society in Damietta City, Egypt. The Selection Committee, which includes four prominent women from outside the Bank, awarded the prize in recognition of her distinguished efforts in the field of social services for women. Among the Society’s most distinct activities has been its program for treating blindness among poor girls in Damietta and its surroundings. Under this program, 135 blind girls have been treated, educated and rehabilitated and integrated into the community.

The value of IDB’s prize is US$50,000.

The Bank’s prize for women institutions and women NGO’s, valued at US$100,000 has been withheld this year because no nominee for the prize has fulfilled the Bank’s criteria for the award of the prize.

Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, President of the IDB Group, said on this occasion that the prize has been awarded for the fourth year running since it was established in 1427H to encourage women’s effective contribution to the process of social and economic development and poverty alleviation in IDB member countries.

He added that the prize will be formally awarded on the occasion of the 34th annual meeting of IDB’s Board of Governors which is scheduled to be held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on 9-10 Jumad Thani 1430H (2-3 June 2009)