The United States has awarded the Annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award to Pakistani human rights activist and advocate, Jalila Haider.
The US has awarded the prize to 12 outstanding women from around the world. The US Melania Trump’s First Lady will deliver remarks in appreciation of these women’s exceptional accomplishments today.
The award honors women around the globe who have shown exemplary bravery and leadership in fighting for peace, justice and human rights, according to a statement by the United States Department of State.
Haider, who originates from Balochistan and belongs to the Hazara minority community, was ranked 9th in the women’s list. The statement said Haider, known as Balochistan’s Iron Lady, specializes in the protection of women’s rights and provides free counselling and legal services to women who are affected by poverty.
She has also led a nonviolent hunger strike in support of the Hazara’s right to life after a series of targeted attacks. “As Balochistan’s president of the Democratic Front for Women and Balochistan’s Aurat (Woman’s) March branch, she faced violence against women in public spaces, at work and at home,” the statement added.
Women from China, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Syria, Zimbabwe and Yemen are on the list. The US has honored 134 women from 73 countries since the award’s inception in March 2007.
