International Balzan prize for Bina Agarwal

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 20

Noted academician Bina Agarwal was presented the International Balzan Prize by Switzerland President Doris Leuthard at a ceremony in Swiss Parliament building at Berne.

In her acceptance speech, Prof Agarwal said “gender inequality remains the deepest form of persisting inequality today, especially as it intersects with the inequalities of class, caste, and race. And it adversely affects not just a country’s economy but also its social and political fabric.”

Evoking the preamble to India’s Constitution, she noted that it was founded on four principles: Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. “Gender justice”, she said, “is essential for fulfilling all four of these principles.”

She was selected for the award specifically “For challenging established premises in economics and the social sciences by using an innovative gender perspective”.

The International Balzan Foundation awards 750,000 Swiss Francs (approx €650,000) for each prize. The winners are required to allocate half of their prize money.