Dresden Peace Prize to Polish Women's Rights Activist - Klementyna Suchanow Wins 2024 Dresden Peace Prize for Fearless Activism

Polish feminist activist Klementyna Suchanow has been named the winner of the 2024 Dresden Peace Prize. The award recognizes her long-standing work in defending human rights, democracy, and women's freedoms. Suchanow, a journalist and author, described herself as 'overwhelmed' by the honour.

Suchanow co-founded the Ogólnopolski Strajk Kobiet (All-Poland Women’s Strike) in 2016, leading mass protests against the policies of Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) government. Her activism has drawn tens of thousands into the streets, challenging restrictions on reproductive rights and democratic freedoms.

Her work has come at a personal cost. Suchanow has been arrested multiple times and claims to have faced mistreatment in detention. In 2023, she published This Is War, a book examining the rise of radical fundamentalism and its consequences for women and minorities. The Dresden Peace Prize, supported by the Klaus Tschira Foundation, has been awarded annually since 2010. Previous recipients include the European Court of Human Rights in 2025 and other figures known for advancing peace and justice. This year’s ceremony will take place on April 12 at Dresden’s Semperoper. Jean Asselborn will deliver the laudatory speech, while Michael Kretschmer, the regional premier, will provide welcoming remarks. The prize highlights Suchanow’s focus on women’s rights and her analysis of authoritarianism in Eastern Europe. Organisers praised her dedication to the rule of law, freedom, and peaceful resistance in the face of growing repression.

The 2024 Dresden Peace Prize ceremony will formally honour Suchanow’s contributions in April. Her activism, writing, and leadership in mass protests have cemented her role as a leading voice against authoritarianism. The award also underscores the ongoing struggles for gender equality and democratic values in the region.