“Courage is the ability to act in big and small ways every day, despite fear and pain, and to remain compassionate in the face of evil. Courage is when you care.” Volha Harbunova, Belarusian human rights defender
Inspiring womenof courage who make the world safer, kinder, more peaceful, and equitable in challenging environments worldwide. These women represent various sectors of civil society and continue their activism despite many being in exile.
Notable Awardees and Their Achievements
Afghanistan: Benafsha Yaqoobi
The visually impaired founder of the Rahyab Organization in Afghanistan fights in exile for the rights of Afghan girls with disabilities to attend school.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ajna Jusić
Founder of the Forgotten Children of War Association, she advocated for the first law granting rights to children born of wartime rape.
Burma: Myintzu Win
Criminal defense lawyers champion the rights of marginalized communities, often pro bono, and leadd a legal aid team that trains law students to carry out the same work.
Japan: Rina Gonoi
A former Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) member who exposed sexual harassment launched a public campaign that inspired reforms within the JSDF for a more secure workplace. [[36]]
Morocco: Rabha El Haymar
Subject of documentary "Bastards" raising awareness about undocumented children, fought for recognition of her traditional marriage to protect her daughter, advocates for family code reforms to protect women's and children's rights.
Uganda: Agather Atuhaire
Journalist, lawyer, and social justice activist, who exposes parliamentary abuse, threats to democracy, and human rights violations, which led changes in various Ugandan institutions.
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