GERMANY: Actresses Teri Hatcher and Catherine Deneuve have received Women's World Awards for their work

The Women's World Awards were presented at a glittering gala in Leipzig on Tuesday (November 29). The World Awards are presented to individuals from a variety of fields whose achievements, according to the World Awards organisation, "symbolize the best aspects of humankind - unique personalities with vision, personal strength, commitment to their ideals and, above all, a passion for creating a better world in the 21st century." There has been an annual World Award ceremony for men since 2000, but this is only the second year that there has been a special award with various categories for women. The World Actress Award went to Teri Hatcher who stars in the series, "Desperate Housewives". Hatcher told Reuters the success of the series is its approachability, despite the comical elements. "I think it has relatable emotions for women, but with a heightened sense of humour, you know. So it's entertaining, and sort of heightened, but something that you can still understand and relate to and kind of have a giggle at because it might happen to you," she said. Hatcher also spoke about her character on the wildly popular show. "I think really the only area that we cross over is probably in our, you know, insecurities and feelings about relationships and men and trust, and trying to work all that area out", she said. "I think our parenting is incredibly different, but I love playing her, she is so much fun, I love that character more than any other character I have ever played. " The World Fashion Award went to Donatella Versace, and the World Style Icon to the supermodel Linda Evangelista. The Canadian beauty was one of the "Supermodels" of the 90s and is today, at 40, still one of the most sought after faces in her profession. The French actress Catherine Deneuve received the World Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement, but not all the awards went to members of the show business world. The World Tolerance Award for example was presented to Benazir Bhutto who, as Pakistan's Prime Minister, became the first woman to be the head of an Islamic country. Despite continued political turbulence in her country she was able to initiate health and social reforms. "This is a very important prize for me as a woman leader from the muslim world. Although women have made tremendous advances globally, there are still parts of the world where women are discriminated against," the former leader said. Hatcher agreed that sexual equality has not yet been achieved fully all over the world. "Certainly women have far more advantages in America than they do in most other places in the world and obviously they are blessed for that. But yeah, absolutely I don't think in any way that the sexes have begun to respect each others equality," she said. The World Actress Award is the second international award the actress has picked up this year, also picking up a Golden Globe for her role.

ITN Source | December 1, 2005

Tags:. .commitment. .comical. .although. .above. .whose