7 Afghans among 21 women honoured by Jill Biden

KABUL (Pajhwok): The US first lady has honored more than 20 women from 15 countries for making the ‘extraordinary choice’ to seek justice despite threats to their lives.

Seven women leaders and activists from Afghanistan, who were killed for their dedication to improving the lives of their compatriots, were among the recipients of the International Women of Courage Award.

Jill Biden, according to Daily Mail, told a virtual ceremony at the State Department: ‘The United States will stand with you.”

The 21 women honored also included Iranian chess arbitrator Shohreh Bayat an imprisoned women’s right leader in Belarus and Sister Alicia Vacas Moro — a registered nurse who set up clinics to help poor women and children.

Before addressing the ceremony on Monday, the first lady tweeted: “On this #InternationalWomensDay, we celebrate the resilience and courage of women everywhere. Each time a woman stands up for herself…she stands up for all women.”

The women’s stories made it easy to think of them as ‘mythical heroes or angels among us’, she said, explaining that they being humans also desired to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

“Some of these women have spent their lives fighting for their cause. Others are just starting out on a journey they didn’t ask for,” he first lady remarked.

The 14 living awardees are from Belarus, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Venezuela.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken commended the women for what he called leading the charge on human rights

He said: “It is often women lead the charge for human rights, democracy and justice, including in places where women hold much less than half of the political, economic and social power.”

PAN Monitor/mud