On September 30, 2025, at the Maison des Métallos in Paris, the RAJA-Danièle Marcovici Foundation celebrated ten years of commitment alongside grassroots organizations working to promote women’s rights and protect the environment.
Launched in 2015, this program has supported 162 organizations across 42 countries and contributed to the economic, social, and environmental empowerment of more than 75,000 women and girls worldwide.
The event brought together the Foundation’s entire ecosystem — partner organizations, philanthropic partners, public and private institutions, and RAJA Group employees — around several key moments: a roundtable discussion, a concert by Juliette Magnevasoa, the presentation of two awards, and a photo exhibition showcasing projects supported through the Women & Environment program.
An anniversary evening under the banner of commitment
True to its engagement with grassroots organizations, the RAJA-Danièle Marcovici Foundation wished to highlight two associations supported by the Women & Environment program through the presentation of two distinctions: the RAJA Heart’s Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award.
Opening speech by Danièle Marcovici, President of the RAJA-Danièle Marcovici Foundation and CEO of the RAJA Group.
RAJA Heart’s Choice Award – Objectif France Inde (OFI)
The organization Objectif France Inde (OFI) was honored for its efforts to promote the empowerment of rural women in India.
Presentation of the RAJA Heart’s Choice Award to Delphine Oberoi by Isabelle Rome.
This award was presented by the ambassadors of the RAJA-Danièle Marcovici Foundation within the RAJA Group — employees committed to promoting the Foundation’s activities across the Group’s 27 companies, located in 19 countries throughout Europe.
Benjamine Oberoi, founder and co-president of Objectif France Inde, attended the ceremony to receive the award and a grant of €10,000. This grant will strengthen women’s skills and autonomy in the agricultural sector in India, helping to foster their financial independence and food security.
Isabelle Rome, member of the Executive Committee of the RAJA-Danièle Marcovici Foundation, had the honor of presenting this award in her capacity as magistrate, Human Rights Ambassador, and former Minister Delegate for Gender Equality.
People’s Choice Award – Humanitarian Association for Africa
Presentation of the People’s Choice Award to Monique Gilliot by Delphine O.
In September, a major online voting campaign was launched, gathering nearly 5,000 participants. Among the nominated organizations, the Association Humanitaire pour l’Afrique (AHPA) received the most votes from the public.
Monique Gilliot, treasurer and project manager within the organization, accepted the award along with a €10,000 grant to support the training of female salt producers in Benin in more sustainable and environmentally friendly solar techniques. The award was presented by Delphine O, Ambassador and Secretary-General of the Generation Equality Forum at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
Danièle Marcovici also commended the commitment of the four other organizations nominated for the awards — En Terre Indigène, GERES, Rejoué, and Women Engage for a Common Future France (WECF France) — each receiving an exceptional grant of €5,000.
A Roundtable to Rethink the Future: Women, Guardians of Life
This key moment of the evening, moderated by journalist Chloé Nabédian, brought together several experts to highlight the inseparable link between agriculture, agroecology, and women’s empowerment. These agricultural practices enable women to gain autonomy, while their initiatives are precisely what foster the emergence of sustainable alternatives to conventional agricultural models. Through their commitment, women play a vital role in protecting the environment and building more respectful and resilient agricultural systems in the face of climate change.
From left to right: Ghislaine Tandonnet Guiran, Valérie Lazennec, Audrey Boullot, Cécile Duflot, and Chloé Nabédian during the roundtable discussion.
The speakers included:
Cécile Duflot, Executive Director of Oxfam France;
Audrey Boullot, Director of Programs and Development at SOL;
Valérie Lazennec, Gender Adviser at the National Federation of Organic Agriculture (FNAB);
Ghislaine Tandonnet Guiran, Senior Manager at Ramboll France.
Shared Observations
The speakers emphasized that, due to structural gender inequalities, women farmers have significantly less access to land and property, which are often located in more vulnerable areas such as flood zones. They also have limited access to agricultural resources and tools, exposing them more acutely to the impacts of climate change and making them the first victims of natural disasters. These disparities heighten their economic and social vulnerability to environmental crises, making it more challenging for them to adapt and protect their livelihoods.
While acknowledging notable progress in raising the visibility of women in agriculture, the speakers also highlighted the critical lack of female representation in agricultural and environmental decision-making bodies, which limits their ability to influence policies and agricultural practices.
Pathways for the Future
Among the solutions discussed were:
Securing land rights, as this ensures women’s legal and long-term access to land, strengthening their economic independence and resilience to climate crises.
Expanding access to financing and training, which helps modernize their agricultural practices, improve productivity, and adapt to environmental challenges while building autonomy and confidence in their skills.
Reducing the domestic workload, as this frees time and energy for women to devote to agricultural activities, training, and participation in political and social life.
Systematically integrating gender considerations into public policies and decision-making bodies, to ensure that women’s specific needs and challenges are addressed through effective measures that reduce inequalities and promote a more equitable and sustainable approach.
A Highlight of Women’s Artistic Expression
The evening featured a musical performance by committed artist Juliette Magnevasoa, whose songs pay tribute to women’s strength and resilience.
Photograph of a project by the organization GRET, taken by artist Floriane de Lassée.
A photo exhibition by Floriane de Lassé was also presented. Organized in partnership with the Photoclimat Biennale, the exhibition featured a series of portraits taken in Asia and Latin America, highlighting six organizations supported by the RAJA-Danièle Marcovici Foundation’s Women & Environment program: Gret, CARE France, Mékong Enfants des Rizières, Ishpingo, Projeter Sans Frontières, and Women Engage for a Common Future France (WECF France).
This anniversary evening was much more than a celebration. It embodied the strength of collective action and reaffirmed one of the RAJA-Danièle Marcovici Foundation’s core conviction:
The empowerment of women and the preservation of the environment go hand in hand to build a fairer, more united, and more sustainable future.
