This year, Women in Sight, a movement that aims to highlight and promote the position of women in the church, consciously nominated women up to and including the age of 35.
Chairman of the jury Eva Vromman:
‘ The younger, the more difficult and unruly it is to give voice to the Gospel.
On the other hand, it may also be possible that these young women can make a difference internally. Their perseverance, their fresh way of looking at things, their going against the grain, can question established things.’
Audience Award: Eliane Maes (31) from Antwerp
For the second year in a row, Vrouwen-in-Zicht opted for both an audience award and a jury award. This year the audience award was won by Eliane Maes, who is part of the Youth For Peace movement of Sant’Egidio. With Youth for Peace, Eliane wants to build a more beautiful city and a world in peace.‘I would like to dedicate this prize to all strong women worldwide, who are committed to faith, who bring hope and who build a more human society.
Today, more than ever, it is important to make women’s voices heard. Women possess the gentle power of the word, of dialogue. We should be proud of all the women who do not give up and who continue to protect life.’
Jury prize: Marthe Beyaert (19) from Evergem
This year the jury prize goes to Marthe Beyaert. “Your cheerful self, your enthusiasm are clearly visible in many photos and your interaction with people is very cordial,” said the jury. ‘You are actually a bit of an all-round young lady for the interpretation of the voice of the Gospel. Your studies at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies will shape you and provide you with knowledge. In your spare time you devote yourself to the Lourdes pilgrimages, Jokri, IJD.’
You travel with many people and you don’t stay in your own circle.’
As a little girl, Marthe went to Lourdes to help where she could. Next summer she will volunteer for the second time at the hospital.
‘Getting up early is not my strong suit, but I am certainly willing to do that for the gratitude and joy of all the people in Lourdes.
As my colleague often says: ‘Lourdes is the place where heaven touches earth.’ And I have had the opportunity to experience that myself several times.’
Last year the Junia Prize went to Lieve Van Driessen (audience) and Ilse Van Gorp (jury), the year before to former IPB chairman Agnes Pas. The prize is named after the Junia mentioned by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans. Many theologians read it as a reference to a female apostle.
 and Marthe Beyaert (19) win the third Junia prize){kind=link}