Magdalena Bidau Soares is an East Timorese
peace activist
A peace movement is a social movement which seeks to achieve ideals, such as the ending of a particular war (or wars) or minimizing inter-human violence in a particular place or situation. They are often linked to the goal of achieving world peac ...
and recipient of the
N-Peace Award in 2013.
In 1975 Soares was forced to flee her village during the
Indonesian occupation of East Timor. She became part of the guerrilla movement resisting the occupation. She was captured and imprisoned. After her release she continued her resistance activities by joining the ''Popular Women’s Organisation Timor'' (OPMT). Once the occupation was over, in 1999, Soares turned her attention to peace activism and improving the lives of others. She founded the organization ''Feto Haluk Hadomi Timor'' which works with widows of ex-combatants, providing training for income-generating activities like farming and crafts.
In 2013 Soares was one of the eight recipients of the N-Peace Award.
She was awarded the prize for her peace, educational and income-generating initiatives for the underprivileged East Timorese.
References
External links
An ex-guerrilla fighter turned peace advocate: Magdalena Bidau Soares wins the N-Peace Awards 2013YouTube video
{{DEFAULTSORT:Soares, Magdalena Bidau
Living people
East Timorese women activists
Year of birth missing (living people)