Gender Equality Advocate And Women Deliver President, Katja Iversen, Named Dane Of The Year

New York, NY, 6 December 2018 – Today, the highly-anticipated Dane of the Year Award was granted for the fifth time – this time, to Katja Iversen, President/CEO of the global advocacy organization Women Deliver and longtime defender of gender equality and women’s health and rights.

According to Tom Jensen, Editor-in-Chief at Berlingske Tidende, the Danish media company behind the award, Dane of the Year is based on clearly defined criteria. It goes to someone who has ambitions, who wants to change the world to the benefit of others, and who has achieved something great.

“The goal of Katja Iversen and Women Deliver is to lift up girls and women all over the globe – to help better their lives, and make it possible for them to live their full potential. To this end, Katja has contributed more than most, and she makes a difference for millions around the world,” Tom Jensen said.

In his presenting speech, Jensen highlighted how gender equality and investment in women’s health and rights across the globe are core values in the Danish society.

In response to the award, Iversen, 49, shared, “I am so honored and humbled to be named Dane of the Year. But the prize is not just for me. It is for the whole Women Deliver team, for the cause of gender equality and girls' and women's health and rights, and for those who champion it every day. Not least, this award is for the girls and women around the globe who deserve the same opportunities I was granted in Denmark so they can reach their full potential.”

For Iversen, who lives in New York where the Women Deliver office is located, but travels most of the year to advocate for a more gender equal world, it is an energy booster to receive this award at the end of a hectic year. “It shows that our work to get a more gender equal world and achieve health for all not only matters, but is also seen, heard, and recognized.”

In the nomination of Iversen for Dane of the Year, a multitude of accomplishments were referenced, including her appointment to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Gender Advisory Council to a G7 Presidency, directly addressing G7 heads of state, the launch of her book Kvinde Kend Dit Netvaerk [translation: Women Know Your Network], the successful Women Deliver 2016 Conference in Copenhagen, her advisory roles to UN Agencies, her gender strategy work with multinational companies such as Unilever and Johnson & Johnson, and her tireless work to drive investment in girls and women.

Katja Iversen was nominated for Dane of the Year alongside a remarkable list of high-achieving individuals, including:

• Caroline Wozniacki, tennisspiller (translation: Tennis player)
• Henrik Poulsen, adm. direktør Ørsted (translation: CEO, Ørsted)
• Jesper Buch, iværksætter (translation: Entrepreneur)
• Jonatan Spang, standupkomiker (translation: Stand-up comedian)
• Nanna W. Gotfredsen, stifter og leder, Gadejuristen (translation: Founder and leader, The Danish Street Lawyers)
• Sara Omar, forfatter og stud.scient.pol. (translation: Author and Student of Political Science)
• Sebastian Mernild, klimaforsker (translation: Climatologist)
• Søren Pind, debattør, bestyrelsesformand (translation: Debater, Chairman of the Board)
• Whistlebloweren (translation: The Whistleblower)

Testimonials:

• “Katja Iversen’s work is based on a set of values about gender equality and women's equal opportunities, which are very Danish values. While, Katja’s work is global, the core of the big difference she makes is very Danish. We are thrilled to name her Dane of the Year.” – Tom Jensen, Editor-in-Chief, Berlingske Tidende
• “Katja Iversen brings out the best in all of us: love, togetherness, action.” – Majken Gilmartin, Global Goals World Cup
• “Katja is a tireless champion for gender equality with a great sense of humor (much needed for resilience!)” Ann Keeling, Women in Global Health
• Katja Iversen manages to step (with clogs on) into the world of power and influence the agenda – whether it be in Davos or to Melinda Gates. With 300 travelling days a year, Katja Iversen is fighting for a better world without personal gain! She is an amazing inspiring representative of Denmark in all the corridors and forums. She deserves the prize of Dane of the Year.” – Anette Steenberg, Director of Investment Promotion, Copenhagen Capacity
• “There are many fantastic and very special people in Denmark, so it's hard to pick one. But I have voted for Katja Iversen because she represents a cause I am passionate about and because she has made a difference to people high and low, known and unknown, powerful or on the bottom of society. Everyone is equal to Katja, and I love her for that.” – Karin Aean, News Anchor, TV 2/Bornolm
• “Katja is a phenomenon. We the youth saw, talked with, and felt her love for us during the International Conference on Family Planning. She deserves greatness yet her humility is unmatched!” – Peter Ng'ethe Olkikau Nkure, 120 under 40 Winner and Mandela Washington 2018 Fellow

Katja Iversen is available for comment.

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Women Deliver is a leading global advocate that champions gender equality and the health and rights of girls and women. Our advocacy drives investment – political and financial – in the lives of girls and women worldwide. We harness evidence and unite diverse voices to spark commitment to gender equality. And we get results. Anchored in sexual and reproductive health, we advocate for the rights of girls and women across every aspect of their lives. We know that investing in girls and women will deliver progress for all.

The Women Deliver 2019 Conference will take place 3-6 June 2019 in Vancouver, Canada and will be the world’s largest conference on gender equality and the health, rights, and wellbeing of girls and women in the 21st century. It will serve as a catalyst for advocates working to achieve a more gender equal world.

Learn more at womendeliver.org.