The US Embassy presented Katrine Camilleri with its second annual “International Woman of Achievement” award during a reception held on Tuesday to mark International Women’s Day. US Ambassador Molly Bordonaro presented the award to Dr Camilleri for her exceptional and courageous work as an advocate for human rights, and for her unflagging commitment to ensuring that irregular migrants in Malta receive adequate social and legal services.

Speaking to an audience of women leaders in business, medicine, politics, the judiciary, academia, journalism, and civil society, Ambassador Bordonaro praised Dr Camilleri’s efforts in leading the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) legal team. Dr Camilleri’s office provides legal assistance to asylum seekers and monitors the living conditions and treatment of irregular immigrants.

Through her efforts, JRS has expanded its capacity to effectively address the needs of the increasing number of asylum seekers reaching Malta’s shores by boat. Ambassador Bordonaro noted that JRS and other non-governmental organisations play a vital and indispensable role in helping Malta deal with an increasing number of irregular immigrants.

In recognising Dr Camilleri’s role as a Woman of Achievement, Ambassador Bordonaro spoke about the rights afforded to women in countries like the United States and Malta. Democracies foster an environment where women have the right to make their own life choices, and where women are not restricted by culture, traditions, or societal obligations. “Today, a woman can be a mother, a wife, a government official, a businessperson — or any combination of the above,” Ambassador Bordonaro said.

In 2007, Dr Camilleri received the prestigious United Nations Nansen Refugee Award for her civic courage and the inspiring example she has set in improving the lives of hundreds of people in need of humanitarian assistance. The Nansen Award committee said it chose Dr Camilleri for “her exceptional dedication to the refugee cause and her outstanding contribution [to] the protection [of] and assistance to refugees and displaced persons.”