Jacqueline Fernandez named India’s Woman of the Year

Bollywood star Jacqueline Fernandez has been named PETA Woman of the Year by the Indian branch of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The Sri Lankan beauty queen-turned-actress has been praised for using her celebrity status to highlight animal rights.

Fernandez campaigned in 2014 against the use of horse pulled carriages in Mumbai and called for a ban on rabbits used in cosmetics testing. The Kick star also took to twitter to call for the release of the formerly abused elephant Sunder, who was relocated to a forested park following the campaign.

Fernandez helped to judge PETA India’s Vegan Fashion Awards, raising awareness about not wearing leather, fur, wool, angora, or exotic skins. Past recipients of PETA India’s Person of the Year Award include Indian politician Shashi Tharoor, Sholay star Hema Malini and Tamil actor R Madhavan.