In recognition of the commitment of visionaries who have devoted their lives for the cause of freedom and justice the “AIWEFA Stree Ratna” award was instituted. The award honours outstanding achievers for their advocacy in empowerment of women through education, health, nutrition and economic independence.

2002:
Smt. Prema Narendra Purao, Annapurna Mahila Mandal, was awarded the "AIWEFA Stree Ratna Award-2002 ". Smt. Prema Purao was a freedom fighter in the Goa Liberation Struggle and carried her battles through a variety of social issues for elimination of social injustice. She founded the Annapurna Mahila Mandal in 1975 for poor, illiterate, destitute women to help them realize their potential. she was an active trade unionist and a pioneer on shemes for micro credit. Smt. Prema Purao has dedicated her life to social service and empowerment of women.

2003 :
Dr. Seema Sakhare, Nagpur University, was awarded“AIWEFA Stree Ratna Award-2003” Dr. Sakhre has founded and presided over Stree Atyachar Virodhi Parishad (SAVP) (Forum Against Atrocities on Women), Legal Literacy Movement for Women (LLM) and Vidarbha Association for Women’s Studies (Forum Against Rape). Among the services she has established for the rehabilitation of women is the ‘ Family Counseling Centre’ and ‘ Short Stay Home’ at Nagpur.

2004 :
Ms. P. Kousalaya, President Positive Women Network and Joint Secretary of Indian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (INP+) was awarded the “AIWEFA Stree Ratna Award-2004”. Ms. Kousalaya is also a Trustee Member of ICW (Asia Pacific Region). She has also been awarded the HIV Positive Women Activist Award –2004 of Letten Foundation, Barcelona.