First Afghan woman governor wins Ramon Magsaysay award

MANILA, Philippines — Afghanistan's first and only female governor and a humanitarian worker from the Kachin minority in Myanmar are among this year's recipients of a Philippine leadership prize.

Habiba Sarabi was honored for helping build a functioning local government and pushing for education and women's rights in Afghanistan's Bamyan province despite discrimination and poverty. Lahpai Seng Raw helps rehabilitate damaged communities amid armed conflict.

The Ramon Magsaysay Awards announced Wednesday honor three individuals and two organizations for changing their societies for the better. They are named after a popular Philippine president who died in a plane crash in 1957.