The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) hosted celebrations at its Kathmandu office on the event of International Womens Day 2017. The occasion saw various inspiring women from diverse backgrounds, speak at the event. Following these talks, the event finished with the Gender Innovation Awards being conferred to various initiatives at ICIMOD. Among these, HI-AWARE was also granted the Award for 2017. The objective of this award is to recognize and generate evidence on how themes, programmes, initiatives have worked on closing the gender gaps that can help achieve gender equality and other development outcomes.
Furthermore, it was to promote uptake of effective gender transformative practices, initiatives, policies and programs in the Hindu-Kush Himalaya region. Applications for the award were assessed on the following criterion: Process- How sensitive and flexible is the implementation process to close the gender gap considering women/gender perspectives needs and interests? Outcomes and Impact- Are outcomes and impacts help the cause of gender equity and/or equality? Numbers and outreach- How many women, particularly poor and marginalized women, have been reached? How have the programme made women more visible in the system or challenged the existing gender relations?