Her World's annual awards honours a Justice and a sprinter

On 14th October 2024, Her World has once again spotlighted exceptional women shaping Singapore’s future with the 2024 Woman of the Year and Young Woman Achiever awards.

This year, Justice Judith Prakash and national sprinter Shanti Pereira were honoured for their respective contributions to the legal and sporting landscapes in Singapore, standing as symbols of excellence, dedication, and resilience. Their accomplishments inspire professionals and the broader community to strive for impact and integrity in their fields.

Justice Judith Prakash

Justice Judith Prakash, Singapore’s first female Judge of Appeal, was named Her World Woman of the Year 2024. Her career, marked by a profound dedication to the legal profession, has transformed Singapore’s judiciary and paved new paths for women in law. When the 73-year-old was appointed to the Supreme Court Bench in 1992, she became a pioneer, breaking new ground in a field traditionally dominated by men. Over the course of three decades, she has crafted landmark judgments that underscore her commitment to justice and intellectual rigour.

Notably, Justice Prakash’s role in establishing Singapore as a prominent arbitration hub has had global resonance. Her expertise in commercial law and involvement in drafting the International Arbitration Act of 1994 positioned Singapore as an ideal jurisdiction for resolving complex, cross-border disputes.

Justice Prakash’s contributions also extend beyond the courtroom. She has served as a long-standing chairperson of the Raffles Girls’ School Board of Governors, where she has championed leadership opportunities for young women in fields such as STEM and sports.

Her appointment this year as a Distinguished Fellow at Singapore Management University’s Yong Pung How School of Law reflects her ongoing commitment to mentorship and education. Speaking on her award, Justice Prakash shared that her career has offered her not only intellectual challenges but also the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Singapore’s legal framework.

Shanti Pereira

At just 28, national sprinter Shanti Pereira was honoured as the Her World Young Woman Achiever 2024. Pereira’s athletic journey exemplifies the power of perseverance and tenacity, qualities that have driven her to break multiple records and set new benchmarks for Singaporean athletes.

Her recent victories include a historic gold medal in the 200m race at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, marking Singapore’s first track and field gold since 1974.

Pereira’s accomplishments extend to holding the national record across all sprint categories and surpassing her own limits in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her achievements are emblematic of the heights that can be reached through dedication and hard work, inspiring countless young athletes and particularly young women to challenge norms and pursue their dreams relentlessly.

In her acceptance remarks, Pereira expressed deep gratitude to her support system, noting that she hopes her journey will inspire others to define their own paths and pursue their passions.

How they were chosen

Selecting the winners for Her World’s prestigious awards is a collaborative effort by an esteemed panel of judges chaired by entrepreneur and 1999 Woman of the Year honouree, Jennie Chua.

The panel includes leading voices from across industries: Mr. Dominic Nathan, Managing Editor at SPH Media; Ms. Joanna Lee-Miller, Editorial Director of Lifestyle Media at SPH Media; and Ms. Khor Siew Kim, Head of Secretariat & Legal at SPH Media.

Other members are Mr. Raymond Goh, Editorial Director at SPH Media, and Ms. Caecilia Chu, Co-Founder and CEO of YouTrip, who received the Young Woman Achiever Award in 2023. Representatives from government and design complete the panel, with Ms. Melissa Ow, CEO of the Singapore Tourism Board, Mr. Ng Boon Heong of Temasek Foundation, Ms. Olivia Lee, Founder of Olivia Lee Studio, Ms. Pat Law of GOODSTUPH, and Ms. Yvonne Mak, Chairperson of the Young Women’s Leadership Connection.

Together, they ensure that nominees reflect the full breadth of talent, achievement, and social impact that the awards honour.

Celebrating women who shape our future

The annual Her World Woman of the Year and Young Woman Achiever Awards are among Singapore’s most prestigious honours, celebrating women whose impact reverberates across professions and communities.

The rigorous selection process this year, led by an esteemed panel, underscores the significance of these awards in recognising women who exemplify excellence and leadership. As Elizabeth Lee, Editor-in-Chief of Her World, noted, Justice Prakash and Pereira embody the values of resilience, tenacity, and dedication that Her World celebrates.

The inspiring stories of Justice Judith Prakash and Shanti Pereira will be featured in the October 2024 issue of Her World, where readers can delve into the journeys of these two remarkable women who continue to shape Singapore’s future.