The Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice 2025 has been conferred on Edna Adan Ismail of Somaliland and seven others in recognition of their contributions to social justice across fields including health care, women’s rights, environmental protection, and humanitarian service.
The awards were presented on December 21 at a ceremony in Mumbai. Instituted in 2005 by the Mumbai-based Harmony Foundation, the Mother Teresa Memorial Award is the only award officially recognised by the Missionaries of Charity, the congregation founded by Mother Teresa. The award includes a citation and a trophy bearing her image.
Indian environmentalist Swami Prem Parivartan was honoured for decades of work in tree conservation, while physician Ganesh Rakh received recognition for his “Save the Girl Child” initiative, which promotes gender equality in healthcare.
Additional recipients included social activists Safeena Husain, Rajendra Singh, Heba Elsewedy, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The ceremony, marking the 21st year of the awards, was held under the theme “Guardians of Humanity,” celebrating compassion and service in challenging global times.
