The Aletta Jacobs Prize 2018 will be awarded to Lilianne Ploumen, the Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation. She will receive the award because of her involvement in successful efforts towards the advancement of women's and girls' rights over the whole world. The Prize will be officially awarded on Thursday, March 8, 2018, by the rector of the University of Groningen, Elmer Sterken.

'Emancipation runs as a thread through Lilianne Ploumen's life', states jury chairman Dr. Janka Stoker. 'For decades, she has served as an inspiration to women and girls all over the whole world. With her initiative 'She Decides', she has responded strongly and successfully against the policy of American President Trump to stop the financing of an extensive programme for family planning - including anti-conception, safe abortion, sexual education and maternity care. With her initiative, Lilianne Ploumen wants to contribute to the possibility for millions of women in developing countries to choose on their own accord whether, with whom and how many children they want. We as the jury of the Aletta Jacobs Prize are therefore honoured that we can award this prize to Lilianne Ploumen.'

The Aletta Jacobs Prize is awarded every two years by the University of Groningen to a woman who has made significant efforts towards emancipation.

About Aletta Jacobs

The first female student at a Dutch university, Aletta H. Jacobs (1854-1929) began studying medicine in Groningen in 1871. She graduated on March 8, 1879, and her thesis was titled ‘About Localization of Physiological and Pathological Appearances in the Great Brain’.

After her studies, Jacobs worked to improve the living and working conditions of women. As a doctor, she introduced the pessary in the Netherlands and was involved in the creation of the 'Neo-Malthusian League', forerunner of the Dutch Society for Sexual Reform, in 1881. She held office hours timed for working women, was concerned about sex workers, and worked zealously for the improvement of seating for female shopkeepers. For many years, she was the chairwoman of the 'Association for Voting Rights for Women' and active in the international peace movement.