MARTA Centre Receives the Simone Veil Prize

Today is a special day for the MARTA Centre. We are deeply honoured to receive the Simone Veil Prize of the French Republic – an award granted to individuals and organisations whose work promotes gender equality and improves the lives of women and girls around the world.

We accept this prize with deep gratitude and pride. It is not only a recognition of the MARTA Centre, but also a reminder of how essential and necessary the fight for women’s safety, dignity, and freedom remains. At the same time, it is a tribute to the legacy of Simone Veil – a woman whose courage and unwavering conviction transformed not only France, but inspired people across Europe.

Simone Veil once said: “We must always be vigilant – our rights are never assured.” Today, these words resonate especially strongly. They remind us that freedom and safety are not something that can be achieved once and then forgotten. They must be protected every day – through our actions, attitudes, and solidarity.

For 25 years, the MARTA Centre has stood up for women’s rights and worked every day to ensure that these rights are realised in practice.

For 25 years, we have worked so that women and children can live free from violence.

Every day we meet women who take one of the bravest steps of their lives — a step away from violence and towards safety, dignity, and hope.

In 2025 alone, more than 907 women received rehabilitation services at the MARTA Centre. Our specialists provided more than 15,500 consultations — behind each one was a person with a unique story.

Last year, 23 women and 29 children found refuge in our crisis apartments. We also supported women who had suffered sexual exploitation – eight courageous women whose stories remind us once again why this work matters so deeply.

By listening to these stories, we see where laws are still not strong enough and where society must become more courageous.

As the Director of the MARTA Centre, Iluta Lāce, emphasised in her speech, this prize strengthens our determination, resilience, and commitment to continue our work. It gives us the strength to stand firm and unwavering – for freedom, for safety, and for a strong civil society.

This prize gives us strength. But even more importantly, it reminds us that we are not alone.

It is a gesture of gratitude to all the women who have entrusted us with their stories.To all the specialists who stand beside them every day.And to everyone who believes that a society free from violence is not just a dream, but a goal we can achieve together.