Anna Qabale Duba from Kenya has won the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award. The Kenyan nurse won the award after a panel of judges came together to honor her for her dedication to helping vulnerable women and children in Africa. Duba received a cash prize of $250,000 on Thursday.
The 31-year-old Kenyan and mother of two has dedicated her life to helping the vulnerable. She became the only graduate from her village and ventured into helping communities and their vulnerable members.
This, among other things, is responsible for her beating at least nine other nurses who were nominated for the prize. The awards ceremony, which took place in Dubai, saw at least six women on the shortlist and four men who worked in seven countries, namely; India, the UAE, the UK, Australia, Afghanistan, Kenya, and the US.
Anna Qabale Duba
Duba comes from a family of 19 siblings, seeing firsthand what vulnerability looks like. She worked hard for decades to ensure that crimes against women and children were drastically reduced in her surroundings. Besides her fight for the vulnerable; she also teaches people about female genital mutilation and forced marriage.
Duba founded the Qabale Duba Foundation in Kenya; an organization that stands against harmful cultural practices against women and children. It also takes the education of young girls very seriously as well. The foundation also focuses on training women and children while equipping them with skills needed in their development.
When asked about her hopes for the cash prize, Duba mentioned that; with the money, she plans to open a boarding school and provide access to education for more children. She expressed that the creation of said school will reduce the traveling time for children who currently spend hours traveling to and from school. “I also want to start a maternity shelter,” she said.
“In my region, 99 percent of women still deliver at home due to lack of services, so I want to bridge this gap,” she added.
The worldwide nursing award had over 24,000 applications. Ms. Duba was however named the first recipient on International Nurses Day, with the prize-giving taking place in Dubai.
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