A GREAT DAY

By Ann Lewis on 03/12/2009 @ 04:30 PM

We had two important events in Washington yesterday. Sarah Smith has written about the creation of the White House Council on Women and Girls, below. I was also at the State Department for another: celebrating the winners of the third annual Secretary of State's Award for International Women of Courage.

Introducing the award-winners, Hillary spoke of their courage and determination, standing up to injustice in their own lives, working to make a difference for women and girls in their countries and everywhere. She was joined by Michelle Obama, who also spoke of her commitment to women's rights; and Hillary announced the nomination of Melanne Verveer, head of Vital Voices and her former Chief of Staff, as Ambassador at large for Women's Issues - a new position, and a big step in recognizing and promoting women's advancement within the State Department and around the world.

"Our own country has a lot to live up to" Hillary said " but we derive inspiration from those who are struggling so hard just to realize the basic rights that we sometimes take for granted".

One honoree, Reem Al Numery of Yemen was forced into marriage at the age of 12. By speaking up -in the face of severe pressure - she set off a movement against child marriage in Yemen, leading to a law raising the minimum age of consent to 17 for both sexes - and forbidding marriage at any age without the bride's consent. Reem Nomery was unable to come to Washington; but her example inspired us all.

Other award winners were present, and each one had a powerful story:

Wazhma Frogh of Afghanistan is Country Director for Global Rights, and a leader in the fight against domestic violence, marital and child rape, and sexual abuse.

Norma Cruz, Guatemala, director of the Survivors Foundation, is on the forefront of women who are fighting on behalf of victims of violence and sexual abuse-including human trafficking. She helped to investigate and bring to justice 30 individuals accused of murdering women.

Suaad Allami, Iraq. A prominent lawyer, Suaad Allami founded the NGO Women for Progress and the Sadr City Women's Center, which offers free medical care, literacy education, vocational training, and legislative advocacy. At great personal risk, she has exposed corruption and stood up to defend the most disadvantaged.

Hadizatou Mani, Niger, was sold into slavery when she was 12 years old. She defied traditional law and gained her freedom and since then has worked to help others reach freedom, fighting and winning a major, precedent setting case in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice.

Veronika Marchenko, Russia, is the head of the organization Mother's Right, demonstrating exceptional bravery and leadership in exposing the truth surrounding the disturbing peacetime deaths within the Russian armed forces as a result of cruel and inhumane conditions.

Malabar Tadjibayeva, Uzbekistan, was imprisoned for criticizing her government; but she refuses to be silenced. She has returned to human rights advocacy, saying "they can break my body but they can never break my spirit"

The concluding speaker, accepting on behalf of all the Women of Courage, was Ambiga Sreenevasan, Malaysia, an accomplished lawyer who is now President of the Malaysian Bar Council, a strong advocate for human rights, the status of women and religious tolerance. She thanked Hillary for her leadership over the years, saying that women around the world continue to cherish Hillary's statement: that "Human rights are women's rights-and women's rights are human rights."

The video is very long but you can watch it here:

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