U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and Deputy Secretary Heather Higginbottom recognized 10 extraordinarily brave women on Tuesday with the 2014 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award. The ceremony was part of the 103rd anniversary of International Women's Day, observed annually on March 8.
Established in 2007, the award is given every year to women around the world who show exceptional courage and advocacy for human rights, often at a personal risk. This year's recipients included activists, doctors, lawyers and others from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Georgia and Guatemala.
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"Every day, with every life they touch and every spirit they raise, these women are creating ripples that stretch across the globe," Obama said. "When we see these women raise their voices and move their feet and empower others to create change, we need to realize that each of us has that same power and that same obligation."
Nasrin Oryakhil of Afghanistan accepted the award on the group's behalf, and Laxmi, who was the victim of an acid attack in India in 2005, read a poem she wrote.
"You will hear and you will be told that the face you burned is the face I love now ... Then you will know that I am alive, free and thriving and living my dreams," she read.
The following women received the International Women of Courage Award:
Nasrin Oryakhil, Afghanistan: A doctor of gynecology and obstetrics, and the director of the Malalai Maternity Hospital in Kabul, Oryakhil is a leading proponent of maternal health. She works to provide emergency care to women in rural areas and is committed to advancing the role of women in medical professions.
Roshika Deo, Fiji: Deo created the "Be the Change" political campaign in Fiji to advocate for an increased role of women and youth in her country's democratization process. Amid criticism and even death threats, she openly condemns violence against women and girls, calling for government accountability.
Rusudan Gotsiridze, Georgia: A bishop of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia, Gotsiridze advocates for gender equality in a male-dominated field, as well as for rights for all minorities in her country. Through her church, she has led a number of initiatives for acceptance and interfaith dialogue, and she was one of the first religious figures to openly support the rights of Georgia’s LGBT community.
Iris Yassmin Barrios Aguilar, Guatemala: Yassmin Barrios is the president of one of Guatemala's High Risk Court Tribunals, serving as a judge in politically sensitive cases involving corruption and human rights abuses. In 2013, she was the presiding judge in the genocide trial of former Guatemalan dictator Efrain Rios Montt, giving a voice to Ixil-Mayan victims and establishing an important legal precedent against genocide.
Laxmi, India: When she was 16 years old, Laxmi was the victim of a disfiguring acid attack after she refused an acquaintance's romantic advances. Many acid attack victims give up education and employment in order to hide, and sometimes succumb to suicide — but Laxmi became a leader in the fight to bring an end to acid attacks in India. She works toward the rehabilitation of survivors and establishing effective prosecution for attackers.
Fatimata Touré, Mali: A long-time advocate of women's health rights and currently the head of the Regional Forum on Reconciliation and Peace in Gao, Touré was an instrumental figure against the terrorist occupation of Northern Mali. She assisted victims, provided counseling and shelter, and publicly denounced gender-based violence. When extremists attacked her own home, Touré hid underneath her bed and used her mobile phone to document acts of violence against women.
Maha Al Muneef, Saudi Arabia: A specialist in pediatric infectious diseases, Al Muneef is the executive director of the National Family Safety Program, the first organization in Saudi Arabia to address domestic violence and child abuse. After years of effort with the NFSP, Al Muneef helped push legislators to draft the groundbreaking "Protection from Abuse" law.
Oinikhol Bobonazarova, Tajikistan: Bobonazarova is one of Tajikistan's leading human rights activists, focusing on women's rights, migrant workers' rights and torture. She was the first woman to run for president of her country, and is working with the Ombudsman's Office to develop the first independent prison monitoring program.
Ruslana Lyzhychko, Ukraine: As one of the leaders of Ukraine's Euromaidan movement for democratic reform, Lyzhychko (widely known as Ruslana) lends her voice, celebrity status and social media influence to promote civil society activism. In the face of constant, immediate danger, she sang the Ukrainian national anthem for protesters every night, and notably helped peaceful student protesters to safety when police attacked them.
Beatrice Mtetwa, Zimbabwe: Mtetwa is Zimbabwe's most prominent human rights lawyer, accepting cases that others declined out of fear of political retaliation. She has experienced violence and arrest, but continues to fight for women's rights. She even defended two previous International Women of Courage Award recipients, Jenni Williams (2007) and Jestina Mukoko (2010), as well as local and international journalists arrested while covering Zimbabwe's 2008 election.
You can learn more about these courageous women, and the International Women of Courage Award, on the U.S. Department of State website.
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