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On Monday, March 8, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will host a Women of Courage (IWOC) awards ceremony to honor distinguished women from around the world, including an honorary award for seven Afghan leaders and activists murdered for their devotion. to improve the lives of Afghans.
First Lady Jill Biden is due to speak at the “virtual” ceremony for the State Department’s annual awards to women around the world “who have shown courage and leadership in the defense of peace, justice, human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women, often in the face of great personal risk and sacrifice. “.
The list of distinguished women this year includes:
Belarus – Maria Kalisnikava
She has challenged the government of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and has become and remains the face of the opposition in her country, as she courageously faces prison terms following contested elections, and is a source of inspiration for those seeking freedom.
Myanmar (Burma) – Voye Fei Aung
The activist, who will likely play an important role in her country in the years to come, is the co-founder of “Wings of Reconciliation Institute”, an organization which facilitates exchanges between young people of different ethnic and religious groups in the country. . She was imprisoned with her husband and released in 2016.
Cameroon – Maximilien Ngo MBE
Has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, courage and perseverance during a time of crisis to advance human rights in Cameroon and Central Africa.
She formed a frank voice within the voices of civil society and clearly expressed her personal security for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Cameroon, and called for an end to the human rights violations committed by the separatists, security forces in the north-western and south-western regions security forces in the far north.
China – Wang Yu
She is one of the country’s foremost human rights advocates. She had been jailed as a result of China’s campaign against lawyers and human rights defenders across the country called “Campaign 709”.
She has been harassed by Chinese authorities, threatened and physically assaulted by police since her human rights issues in 2011.
Colombia – Myrlis Angarita
She courageously defended human rights in Colombia, at the cost of her personal safety. Her work in this area has improved the security and livelihoods of large numbers of women in her country. She founded a civil society organization that now serves more than 800 women victims of conflict in her country.
She participated in the development of a comprehensive action plan to prevent violence against women leaders in her community and has become a model for the protection of human rights defenders in Colombia.
Democratic Republic of the Congo – Julian Lusenge
Since 1978, Losgeny has become a pioneering activist in her country in the fight against gender-based violence and the promotion of the rights of women and girls in conflict situations.
In 2000, she created the organization “Solidarité des femmes pour la paix et le développement”, the first in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to defend the rights of women and girls against the impunity of sexual violence.
Guatemala – Judge Erika Evan
The judge works for her country’s criminal court, which is responsible for high-impact crimes. She chaired sessions on corruption and atrocities of war, which made her a victim of defamation and threats of violence, but despite the threats, she continued to work independently of political influences and showed determination. to apply the law in his country.
Iran – Shoher Bayat
She hadn’t imagined that on her trip to the Women’s World Chess Championship in 2020, she would have left her country for good. She appeared in the tournament without wearing a veil, which is mandatory in her country, and within 24 hours, the Iranian Chess Federation, which she had chaired, refused to guarantee her safety if she returned to Iran in the event. where she wouldn’t apologize. he.
She chose to be a champion for women’s rights and sought asylum in Britain, leaving her husband in Iran.
Nepal – Maskan Khatun
She played an active role in drafting new legislation criminalizing acid attacks and imposing heavy sentences on perpetrators in Nepal. The courageous Niala was injured at the age of 15 after being shot by a boy with “acid” and she refused to go out with him.
He campaigned to toughen sentences against the perpetrators of these attacks, including using a parliamentary committee, meeting with the Prime Minister of Nepal, and then meeting with him in person to demand the passage of a law. dissuasive.
Somalia – Zahra Mohamed Ahmed
For more than 20 years, an accomplished lawyer has become at the forefront of the defense of human rights in Somalia, especially for vulnerable groups. She has gone to great lengths to provide legal aid to victims of sexual and gender-based violence. Founder of the Somali Women’s Development Center, which deals with reporting human rights violations.
Spain – Alicia Vacas Morrow
Alicia Vacas Morrow is a registered nurse who has run a medical clinic in Egypt for eight years, helping 150 low-income patients daily.
She moved to Bethany to help a poor Bedouin community, especially women and children, and set up training programs for women which provided them with economic opportunities that were previously inaccessible to them.
Sri Lanka – Ranita Kenarajah
It questions the threats and challenges of continuing to fight for and defend the rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups in the country.
Efforts have been made to seek justice for victims of enforced disappearance and prisoners held for many years without charge under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Turkey – Canaan Gulu
She has been a human rights activist for 31 years. She chairs the Turkish Federation of Women’s Associations, an umbrella organization of women’s non-governmental organizations, and has worked to promote women’s participation in governance and their role in the workforce and in the sector. education.
In 2017, she created the Turkish Federation of Women’s Associations which was the first direct line to receive urgent complaints for victims of violence in Turkey.
Venezuela – Anna Rosario Contreras
The president of the Caracas Nurses Association is at the forefront of the fight for the rights of healthcare professionals, patients and unions.
She advocates for citizens’ rights and works to ensure that healthcare workers receive a grant under the Health Champions Program for Acting President Juan Guido.
In addition to individual IWOC awards, the US Secretary of State will present an honorary award to the International Committee of Afghan Women to a group of seven Afghan women who were murdered in 2020 while serving their communities.
Among these names, Fatima Natasha Khalil, an employee of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, was killed while driving to her office with her driver in June 2020.
And Sharmila Vofu, head of the gender affairs unit at the National Directorate of Security, who was murdered in an explosion targeting her car in March 2020 in Kabul.
And Maryam Noorzad, who served in remote areas of Wardak and Bamyan provinces before working at Doctors Without Borders Hospital in Kabul. She was murdered, along with her patient and a newborn baby, in an attack in May 2020 at the maternity ward of the hospital after refusing to leave her patient.
Fatimah Rajabi, 23, is a policewoman from Ghazni province and a member of the anti-drug department. Who was killed by the Taliban while traveling in a civilian minibus, in July 2020.
Nishta, who was traveling from her home in Kandahar to a taxi to work, was killed by an unknown gunman on October 25, 2020.
Malalai Maiwand, journalist for Enecas Radio and Television, was shot dead with her driver by an armed man on December 10, 2020.
Frishita Kohistani, a 29-year-old women’s rights and democracy activist, was murdered on December 24, 2020 by unidentified gunmen near her home in Kapsa district on December 24, 2020.
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