In a ceremonial session of the UN General Assembly, Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson awarded the prizes to winners of the 2013 UN Prize in the Field of Human Rights.

“Too often, women human rights defenders are targeted, often even physically attacked, when perceived as challenging socio-cultural norms and traditions related to their status as women,” says Navi Pillay at the UN Human Rights Council’s annual day to explore questions of gender equality.