Three influential Surinamese women have received the prestigious “Dya Dya Sranan Uma” award from the Suriname Women’s Political Alliance Foundation (VPAS) in a ceremony held Tuesday, recognizing decades of dedicated contribution to national social development. The recipients span generations of female leadership: Suriname’s President Jennifer Simons, Mavis Demon, chair of the community organization Stichting Uma Opo Wroko De Fu Du, and young professional Chenelva Mijnals.
Hosted at Grun Dyari, the award ceremony was originally scheduled to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8, but was rescheduled to April 8 due to personal circumstances affecting one of the honorees. The delayed event still centered its mission on celebrating the global recognition of women’s contributions, retaining the core spirit of International Women’s Day.
VPAS chair Sjachnaz Pengel explained that the three women were selected for their extraordinary commitment, persistence, resilience, and long-standing impact on advancing Suriname’s society. Pengel emphasized that the recipients serve as critical role models for both women and young people across the country, demonstrating what can be achieved through purpose-driven work.
In her keynote address following the award presentation, President Simons framed her participation as more than a formal appearance as head of state. “I am here not only as president, but first and foremost as a woman, a mother, and a Surinamese,” she stated. She went on to highlight the countless essential roles women play across Surinamese society, from high-profile public leadership to the unseen, foundational work that holds communities together.
President Simons used the platform to call for greater cross-gender and intra-gender collaboration across all sectors of the nation. She argued that the largest barrier to gender equity in Suriname is not a lack of formal legislation, but deeply ingrained cultural mindsets that hold women back from reaching their potential. She closed her remarks by urging women and girls across the country to believe in their own capabilities and boldly pursue their personal and professional ambitions.
Attendees and organizers alike reinforced a core theme throughout the event: sustainable national development cannot be achieved unless women and men work in partnership, with equal access to opportunities to contribute to national progress. For the VPAS, the annual award program serves two core goals: to formally recognize women who have already made an exceptional impact on Suriname, and to spread a broader national message that female leadership is not just valuable, but essential to the country’s ongoing growth and prosperity.