The annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Awards ceremony is set to take place on March 4, 2024, at the White House. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and First Lady Jill Biden will host the event, which will be live-streamed for public viewing. This marks the 18th year of the awards, recognizing women worldwide for their bravery in promoting peace, justice, human rights, gender equity and equality.
The IWOC Award has honored over 190 women from 90 countries since its inception in March 2007. Each year, U.S. diplomatic missions nominate one woman from their respective host countries. Finalists are then selected by senior Department officials. Following the ceremony, awardees will participate in an International Visitor Leadership Program in Los Angeles to engage with American counterparts.
Among this year's honorees is Fátima Corozo from Ecuador. An Afro-Ecuadorian high school teacher and community leader from Esmeraldas, she has dedicated her life to defending youth amid rising violence in her city.
Benafsha Yaqoobi of Afghanistan is recognized for her advocacy for disabled persons' rights despite living in exile. She founded the Rahyab Organization to provide education and rehabilitation services.
Fawzia Karim Firoze from Bangladesh has been a Supreme Court advocate for marginalized groups for over three decades and currently leads the Foundation for Law and Development.
Volha Harbunova of Belarus is honored for her human rights activism focusing on women and LGBTQI+ communities. She faced imprisonment under the Lukashenka regime before joining Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's cabinet in Lithuania.
Ajna Jusić from Bosnia and Herzegovina founded the Forgotten Children of War Association to support children born of wartime rape. Her efforts led to legislation granting them special rights.
Myintzu Win from Burma advocates for marginalized communities as a criminal defense lawyer. Her work includes pro bono legal aid and public awareness campaigns on rule-of-law issues.
Cuban activist Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello has long championed human rights despite government harassment. She continues her advocacy work after being imprisoned during Cuba's Black Spring.
Fatou Baldeh from The Gambia campaigns against female genital mutilation (FGM/C). Her organization educates about human rights while she personally works to protect girls like her niece from FGM/C.
Iranian activist Fariba Balouch focuses on women's rights and systemic discrimination affecting Iran's Baluchi ethnic group while facing threats against her family by authorities.
Rina Gonoi of Japan raised awareness about sexual harassment within the Japan Self-Defense Force after resigning due to abuse, sparking national discourse on accountability.
Rabha El Haymar from Morocco successfully navigated legal reforms to obtain recognition of her traditional marriage, advocating through media exposure to inspire change in family laws.
Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire highlights governance issues through investigative reporting while advocating for social justice via AGORA—a platform promoting civic awareness and accountability.
Additionally, an honorary group award goes to "Women Activists Among the 222 Political Prisoners Released February 9, 2023" in Nicaragua.