Bhikkhunis was first created by the Buddha at the specific request of his Aunt and Foster-Mother Mahapajapati Gotami, who became the first ordained Bhikkhuni. Encourage a movement which uplifts the role and status of Buddhist women within the Buddhist faith. Promote telling the herstory of women in Buddhism. Promote a network of accomplished Buddhist women, ordained and lay. The Categories of the Outstanding Women in Buddhism Awards (OWBA), recognize four categories of accomplishments. Meditative Practice, Social Work and Community Development Dharma Propagation.

Two Buddhist nuns, Thai Bhikkhuni Rattanavali and American Bhikkhuni Dr. Lee, got the idea to develop an award in honor of Buddhist women’s accomplishments on the United Nations’ International Women’s Day. This idea arose in March 2001 after the nuns attended two events: The Outstanding Women’s Awards in Thailand organized by the Gender and Development Research Institute, and an invited speech offered by Venerable Bhikkhuni Dr. Lee at the United Nations in Bangkok in honor of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2001. International Women’s Day, March 8th, is an occasion marked by women’s groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at each of the 5 United Nations’ branches in the world. There is also an honoring of the day across the world at universities, schools and educational institutions. Often, the day expands into a week or even a month focusing on the accomplishments of women.  When women on all continents, who are often divided by national boundaries, ethnic, racial, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day, they can look back to women’s struggle for equality, justice, peace and development which began in the1840s.

Few causes promoted by the United Nations have generated more intense and widespread support than the campaign to promote and protect the equal rights of women. The Charter of the United Nations, signed in San Francisco in 1945, was the first international agreement to proclaim gender equality, as a fundamental human right. Nearly 200 women from 20 countries have been awarded to date. Some of the awardees have included: The Objectives of the Outstanding Women in Buddhism Awards (OWBA), Mobilize public opinion and international action to promote the role and status of Theravada Bhikkhunis in southeast Asia, thereby directing assistance to disadvantaged groups of women and girls. Uplift the good deeds of Buddhist women so that others may know.  Provide good role models for society. Encourage the award recipients. Promote sorority in the overcoming of obstacles. Promote information of the award recipient’s role in developing her own life, that of her community, her nation and the world. Training, research and the collection of sex-segregated data on the role and status of ordained women in Buddhism.  Encourage a movement which uplifts the role and status of Buddhist women within the Buddhist faith. Promote telling the herstory of women in Buddhism. Promote a network of accomplished Buddhist women, ordained and lay. The Categories of the Outstanding Women in Buddhism Awards (OWBA), recognize four categories of accomplishments. Meditative Practice, Social Work and Community Development Dharma Propagation: e.g. Dharma Writings, Academic Writings, Radio, TV, Websites, Peace Activism.