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class="nav__countries row"> <p class="nav__countries-header"><a href="/countries-and-areas-list/" class="nav__top-level-header-link">Countries & <span class="nav__countries-header-decor">Areas</span></a></p> <div class="nav__countries-content"> <label for="country-navigation">Search for country or area</label> <div class="chosen-container chosen-container-single chosen-with-drop chosen-container-active" title="" id="country_navigation_chosen" style="width: 100%;"><a class="chosen-single chosen-default"> <span>Select an Option</span> <div><b></b></div> </a> <div class="chosen-drop" style=""> <div class="chosen-search"><label for="country-search">Search for country or area</label> <input class="chosen-search-input" type="text" autocomplete="off" placeholder="Search for country or area" id="country-search"> </div> <div class="chosen-results is-hidden scrollable-list"> <span data-always-display="true" class="disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_a nav__countries-index">A</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/afghanistan/ aria-label="Afghanistan">Afghanistan</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/albania/ aria-label="Albania">Albania</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/algeria/ aria-label="Algeria">Algeria</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/andorra/ aria-label="Andorra">Andorra</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/angola/ aria-label="Angola">Angola</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/antigua-and-barbuda/ aria-label="Antigua and Barbuda">Antigua and Barbuda</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/argentina/ aria-label="Argentina">Argentina</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/armenia/ aria-label="Armenia">Armenia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/australia/ aria-label="Australia">Australia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/austria/ aria-label="Austria">Austria</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/azerbaijan/ aria-label="Azerbaijan">Azerbaijan</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_b nav__countries-index">B</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/bahamas/ aria-label="Bahamas, The">Bahamas, The</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/bahrain/ aria-label="Bahrain">Bahrain</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/bangladesh/ aria-label="Bangladesh">Bangladesh</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/barbados/ aria-label="Barbados">Barbados</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/belarus/ aria-label="Belarus">Belarus</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/belgium/ aria-label="Belgium">Belgium</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/belize/ aria-label="Belize">Belize</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/benin/ aria-label="Benin">Benin</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/bhutan/ aria-label="Bhutan">Bhutan</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/bolivia/ aria-label="Bolivia">Bolivia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/bosnia-and-herzegovina/ aria-label="Bosnia and Herzegovina">Bosnia and Herzegovina</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/botswana/ aria-label="Botswana">Botswana</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/brazil/ aria-label="Brazil">Brazil</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/brunei/ aria-label="Brunei">Brunei</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/bulgaria/ aria-label="Bulgaria">Bulgaria</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/burkina-faso/ aria-label="Burkina Faso">Burkina Faso</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/burma/ aria-label="Burma">Burma</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/burundi/ aria-label="Burundi">Burundi</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_c nav__countries-index">C</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/cabo-verde/ aria-label="Cabo Verde">Cabo Verde</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/cambodia/ aria-label="Cambodia">Cambodia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/cameroon/ aria-label="Cameroon">Cameroon</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/canada/ aria-label="Canada">Canada</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/central-african-republic/ aria-label="Central African Republic">Central African Republic</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/chad/ aria-label="Chad">Chad</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/chile/ aria-label="Chile">Chile</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/china/ aria-label="China">China</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/colombia/ aria-label="Colombia">Colombia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/comoros/ aria-label="Comoros">Comoros</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/cook-islands/ aria-label="Cook Islands">Cook Islands</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/costa-rica/ aria-label="Costa Rica">Costa Rica</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/croatia/ aria-label="Croatia">Croatia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/cuba/ aria-label="Cuba">Cuba</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/cyprus/ aria-label="Cyprus">Cyprus</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/czechia/ aria-label="Czechia">Czechia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/cote-divoire aria-label="Côte d’Ivoire">Côte d’Ivoire</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_d nav__countries-index">D</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/ aria-label="Democratic Republic of the Congo">Democratic Republic of the Congo</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/denmark/ aria-label="Denmark">Denmark</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/djibouti/ aria-label="Djibouti">Djibouti</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/dominica/ aria-label="Dominica">Dominica</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/dominican-republic/ aria-label="Dominican Republic">Dominican Republic</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_e nav__countries-index">E</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/ecuador/ aria-label="Ecuador">Ecuador</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/egypt/ aria-label="Egypt">Egypt</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/el-salvador/ aria-label="El Salvador">El Salvador</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/equatorial-guinea/ aria-label="Equatorial Guinea">Equatorial Guinea</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/eritrea/ aria-label="Eritrea">Eritrea</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/estonia/ aria-label="Estonia">Estonia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/eswatini/ aria-label="Eswatini">Eswatini</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/ethiopia/ aria-label="Ethiopia">Ethiopia</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_f nav__countries-index">F</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/fiji/ aria-label="Fiji">Fiji</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/finland/ aria-label="Finland">Finland</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/france/ aria-label="France">France</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_g nav__countries-index">G</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/gabon/ aria-label="Gabon">Gabon</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/gambia/ aria-label="Gambia, The">Gambia, The</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/georgia/ aria-label="Georgia">Georgia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/germany/ aria-label="Germany">Germany</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/ghana/ aria-label="Ghana">Ghana</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/greece/ aria-label="Greece">Greece</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/grenada/ aria-label="Grenada">Grenada</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/guatemala/ aria-label="Guatemala">Guatemala</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/guinea/ aria-label="Guinea">Guinea</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/guinea-bissau/ aria-label="Guinea-Bissau">Guinea-Bissau</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/guyana/ aria-label="Guyana">Guyana</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_h nav__countries-index">H</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/haiti/ aria-label="Haiti">Haiti</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/holy-see/ aria-label="Holy See">Holy See</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/honduras/ aria-label="Honduras">Honduras</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/hungary/ aria-label="Hungary">Hungary</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_i nav__countries-index">I</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/iceland/ aria-label="Iceland">Iceland</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/india/ aria-label="India">India</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/indonesia/ aria-label="Indonesia">Indonesia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/iran/ aria-label="Iran">Iran</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/iraq/ aria-label="Iraq">Iraq</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/ireland/ aria-label="Ireland">Ireland</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/israel/ aria-label="Israel">Israel</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/italy/ aria-label="Italy">Italy</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_j nav__countries-index">J</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/jamaica/ aria-label="Jamaica">Jamaica</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/japan/ aria-label="Japan">Japan</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/jordan/ aria-label="Jordan">Jordan</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_k nav__countries-index">K</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/kazakhstan/ aria-label="Kazakhstan">Kazakhstan</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/kenya/ aria-label="Kenya">Kenya</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/kiribati/ aria-label="Kiribati">Kiribati</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/kosovo/ aria-label="Kosovo">Kosovo</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/kuwait/ aria-label="Kuwait">Kuwait</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/kyrgyzstan/ aria-label="Kyrgyzstan">Kyrgyzstan</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_l nav__countries-index">L</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/laos/ aria-label="Laos">Laos</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/latvia/ aria-label="Latvia">Latvia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/lebanon/ aria-label="Lebanon">Lebanon</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/lesotho/ aria-label="Lesotho">Lesotho</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/liberia/ aria-label="Liberia">Liberia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/libya/ aria-label="Libya">Libya</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/liechtenstein/ aria-label="Liechtenstein">Liechtenstein</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/lithuania/ aria-label="Lithuania">Lithuania</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/luxembourg/ aria-label="Luxembourg">Luxembourg</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_m nav__countries-index">M</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/madagascar/ aria-label="Madagascar">Madagascar</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/malawi/ aria-label="Malawi">Malawi</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/malaysia/ aria-label="Malaysia">Malaysia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/maldives/ aria-label="Maldives">Maldives</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/mali/ aria-label="Mali">Mali</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/malta/ aria-label="Malta">Malta</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/marshall-islands/ aria-label="Marshall Islands">Marshall Islands</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/mauritania/ aria-label="Mauritania">Mauritania</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/mauritius/ aria-label="Mauritius">Mauritius</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/mexico/ aria-label="Mexico">Mexico</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/micronesia/ aria-label="Micronesia">Micronesia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/moldova/ aria-label="Moldova">Moldova</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/monaco/ aria-label="Monaco">Monaco</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/mongolia/ aria-label="Mongolia">Mongolia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/montenegro/ aria-label="Montenegro">Montenegro</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/morocco/ aria-label="Morocco">Morocco</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/mozambique/ aria-label="Mozambique">Mozambique</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_n nav__countries-index">N</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/namibia/ aria-label="Namibia">Namibia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/nauru/ aria-label="Nauru">Nauru</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/nepal/ aria-label="Nepal">Nepal</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/netherlands/ aria-label="Netherlands">Netherlands</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/new-zealand/ aria-label="New Zealand">New Zealand</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/nicaragua/ aria-label="Nicaragua">Nicaragua</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/niger/ aria-label="Niger">Niger</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/nigeria/ aria-label="Nigeria">Nigeria</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/niue/ aria-label="Niue">Niue</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/north-korea/ aria-label="North Korea">North Korea</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/north-macedonia/ aria-label="North Macedonia">North Macedonia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/norway/ aria-label="Norway">Norway</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_o nav__countries-index">O</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/oman/ aria-label="Oman">Oman</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_p nav__countries-index">P</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/pakistan/ aria-label="Pakistan">Pakistan</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/palau/ aria-label="Palau">Palau</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/palestinian-territories/ aria-label="Palestinian Territories">Palestinian Territories</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/panama/ aria-label="Panama">Panama</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/papua-new-guinea/ aria-label="Papua New Guinea">Papua New Guinea</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/paraguay/ aria-label="Paraguay">Paraguay</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/peru/ aria-label="Peru">Peru</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/philippines/ aria-label="Philippines">Philippines</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/poland/ aria-label="Poland">Poland</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/portugal/ aria-label="Portugal">Portugal</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_q nav__countries-index">Q</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/qatar/ aria-label="Qatar">Qatar</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_r nav__countries-index">R</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/republic-of-the-congo/ aria-label="Republic of the Congo">Republic of the Congo</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/romania/ aria-label="Romania">Romania</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/russia/ aria-label="Russia">Russia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/rwanda/ aria-label="Rwanda">Rwanda</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_s nav__countries-index">S</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/saint-kitts-and-nevis/ aria-label="Saint Kitts and Nevis">Saint Kitts and Nevis</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/saint-lucia/ aria-label="Saint Lucia">Saint Lucia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines/ aria-label="Saint Vincent and the Grenadines">Saint Vincent and the Grenadines</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/samoa/ aria-label="Samoa">Samoa</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/san-marino/ aria-label="San Marino">San Marino</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/sao-tome-and-principe/ aria-label="Sao Tome and Principe">Sao Tome and Principe</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/saudi-arabia/ aria-label="Saudi Arabia">Saudi Arabia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/senegal/ aria-label="Senegal">Senegal</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/serbia/ aria-label="Serbia">Serbia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/seychelles/ aria-label="Seychelles">Seychelles</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/sierra-leone/ aria-label="Sierra Leone">Sierra Leone</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/singapore/ aria-label="Singapore">Singapore</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/slovakia/ aria-label="Slovakia">Slovakia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/slovenia/ aria-label="Slovenia">Slovenia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/solomon-islands/ aria-label="Solomon Islands">Solomon Islands</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/somalia/ aria-label="Somalia">Somalia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/south-africa/ aria-label="South Africa">South Africa</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/south-korea/ aria-label="South Korea">South Korea</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/south-sudan/ aria-label="South Sudan">South Sudan</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/spain/ aria-label="Spain">Spain</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/sri-lanka/ aria-label="Sri Lanka">Sri Lanka</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/sudan/ aria-label="Sudan">Sudan</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/suriname/ aria-label="Suriname">Suriname</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/sweden/ aria-label="Sweden">Sweden</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/switzerland/ aria-label="Switzerland">Switzerland</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/syria/ aria-label="Syria">Syria</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_t nav__countries-index">T</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/taiwan/ aria-label="Taiwan">Taiwan</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/tajikistan/ aria-label="Tajikistan">Tajikistan</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/tanzania/ aria-label="Tanzania">Tanzania</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/thailand/ aria-label="Thailand">Thailand</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/timor-leste/ aria-label="Timor-Leste">Timor-Leste</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/togo/ aria-label="Togo">Togo</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/tonga/ aria-label="Tonga">Tonga</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/trinidad-and-tobago/ aria-label="Trinidad and Tobago">Trinidad and Tobago</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/tunisia/ aria-label="Tunisia">Tunisia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/turkey/ aria-label="Turkey (Türkiye)">Turkey (Türkiye)</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/turkmenistan/ aria-label="Turkmenistan">Turkmenistan</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/tuvalu/ aria-label="Tuvalu">Tuvalu</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_u nav__countries-index">U</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/uganda/ aria-label="Uganda">Uganda</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/ukraine/ aria-label="Ukraine">Ukraine</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/united-arab-emirates/ aria-label="United Arab Emirates">United Arab Emirates</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/united-kingdom/ aria-label="United Kingdom">United Kingdom</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/uruguay/ aria-label="Uruguay">Uruguay</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/uzbekistan/ aria-label="Uzbekistan">Uzbekistan</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_v nav__countries-index">V</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/vanuatu/ aria-label="Vanuatu">Vanuatu</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/venezuela/ aria-label="Venezuela">Venezuela</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/vietnam/ aria-label="Vietnam">Vietnam</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_y nav__countries-index">Y</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/yemen/ aria-label="Yemen">Yemen</a><span data-always-display="true" class="nav__countries_letter_top disabled-result nav__countries_letter nav__countries_z nav__countries-index">Z</span><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/zambia/ aria-label="Zambia">Zambia</a><a class="noindent" href=https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/zimbabwe/ aria-label="Zimbabwe">Zimbabwe</a> </div> </a> </ul> </li> <li class=" menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom has-children" aria-label="Primary Navigation"><button>Bureaus & Offices</button> <ul class="nav__secondary-nav is-hidden"> <li class="nav__go-back"><button type="button">Back</button></li> <li 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<div class="bc_content"> <a class="bc_home" href="https://www.state.gov">Home</a><span class="bc_carat"></span><span class="bc_middle collapse"><a href="https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/secretary-of-state/office-of-global-womens-issues">Office of Global Women's Issues</a><span class="bc_carat"></span> <a href="/bureaus-archive/office-of-global-womens-issues__trashed">Remarks & Releases</a></span><span class="bc_ellipse">...</span><span class="bc_carat"></span><span class="bc_current collapse">2023 International Women of Courage Award</span> </div> <div class="bc_hide">hide</div> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function(event) { if(window.jQuery) { jQuery( document ).ready(function() { if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) { jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){ jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible"); jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle(); jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle(); jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex"); 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//jQuery(this).children('img').attr('style', 'margin: 0 !important'); jQuery(this).children().wrapAll('<div class="watermarked_image"></div>'); }); jQuery('.entry-content p.watermarked > div.watermarked_image > img').each( function() { if ( jQuery(this).hasClass('alignnone') ) { jQuery(this).parent().addClass( 'alignnone' ); } if ( jQuery(this).hasClass('alignleft') ) { jQuery(this).parent().addClass( 'alignleft' ); } if ( jQuery(this).hasClass('alignright') ) { jQuery(this).parent().addClass( 'alignright' ); } if ( jQuery(this).hasClass('size-medium') ) { jQuery(this).parent().addClass( 'has-size-medium' ); } if ( jQuery(this).hasClass('aligncenter') ) { jQuery(this).parent().addClass( 'aligncenter' ); jQuery(this).parent().children().wrapAll('<div class="wm_centered"></div>'); } }); } }); }); </script> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>“It is often women who 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.  That’s why the equal rights and dignity of women is a foreign policy priority for the United States.”</p><cite>Secretary Antony Blinken</cite></blockquote></figure> <div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p>Established in 2007, this annual award honors women from around the world who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in order to bring about positive change to their communities, often at great personal risk and sacrifice.  To date, under the IWOC program, the U.S. Department of State has recognized more than 180 women in 80 countries.  All awardees have advocated for the protection of human rights, advanced gender equity and equality, empowered women and girls, in all their diversity, and fostered peace and government transparency around the world.</p> </div> <div class="secretary_travel_slideshow_block default wide"> <div data-component="slider" data-content="media-library" class="slider-wrapper frame"> <div class="slider slider--featured"> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518271" data-description="First lady Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [White House photo]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52735765282_992948952e_b.jpg" alt="First lady Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [White House photo]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518270" data-description="First Lady Jill Biden alongside Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52735437468_3ed4191334_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="First Lady Jill Biden alongside Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518268" data-description="17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52735437458_927fbffd5d_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518267" data-description="17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52735437438_859579bb71_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518264" data-description="First lady Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52735378680_0466455ead_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="First lady Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518263" data-description="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52735378630_4326965183_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518262" data-description="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52735378620_2035055ad3_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518261" data-description="" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52735378620_2035055ad3_k-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518260" data-description="First lady Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52735378605_353a37be02_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="First lady Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518257" data-description="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52735378585_b0f64e5648_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518256" data-description="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52735218349_70db5f78d3_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518255" data-description="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52735218314_c4d24daa5f_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518254" data-description="17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52735218274_b0e635ec21_k-683x1024.jpg" alt="17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518253" data-description="Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52735218229_adc0a9d273_k-683x1024.jpg" alt="Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518252" data-description="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52734964386_6aa69172ec_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518250" data-description="17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52734959746_449d23efbe_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518249" data-description="Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken speaks at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52734959736_36965f1af2_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken speaks at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518248" data-description="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52734441862_6ab65899be_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518247" data-description="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52734441842_5d8e731173_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518246" data-description="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52734441822_23054b67cd_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518245" data-description="First lady Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52734441762_0f25e21908_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="First lady Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518244" data-description="17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. (State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy)" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52734437312_3ac5a2d924_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. (State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy)" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> <div class="slider__slide" data-photo-id="518243" data-description="First Lady Jill Biden speaks alongside Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" data-title="Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony"> <div class="slide__image" style="background-color: "> <img data-lazy="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/52734437292_210c6c3195_k-1024x683.jpg" alt="First Lady Jill Biden speaks alongside Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]" class="js-slide-image" /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="slider-meta"> <p class="slider-meta__index js-slider-index"></p> <p class="slider-meta__title js-slider-detail-title">Secretary Blinken and FLOTUS Attend the 2023 International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony</p> <div class="slider-meta__detail"> <p class="slider-meta__detail-description js-slider-detail-description">First Lady Jill Biden speaks alongside Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at the 17th annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award Ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. First Lady Biden and Blinken hosted the ceremony to award women from around the world who have shown courage in their careers ranging from journalism, advocacy, the military and more. [State Department Photo by Chuck Kennedy/Public Domain]</p> <button class="slider-meta__detail-cta js-slider-cta">Close</button> </div> </div> <div class="slider__nav-wrapper"> <div class="slider__nav"> <p class="slider__index js-slider-index"></p> <div class="slider__arrows"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-summary-article-index state-block "> <div class="row"> <div class="summary summary--index"> <h2 class="summary__title icon-stars "> 2023 International Women of Courage </h2> <ul class="summary__list"> <li><a href="#hekmat">Dr. Zakira Hekmat</a></li> <li><a href="#rueda">Alba Rueda</a></li> <li><a href="#darlan">Professor Danièle Darlan</a></li> <li><a href="#rios">Doris Ríos</a></li> <li><a href="#mohammed">Meaza Mohammed</a></li> <li><a href="#abdel-aziz">Hadeel Abdel Aziz</a></li> <li><a href="#toregozhina">Bakhytzhan Toregozhina</a></li> <li><a href="#ras-adiba">Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi </a></li> <li><a href="#ganbold">Brigadier General Bolor Ganbold</a></li> <li><a href="#zalewska">Bianka Zalewska</a></li> <li><a href="#paievska">Yuliia Paievska</a></li> <p><input type="hidden" /></ul> </div> </div> </div> <div style="height:24px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <div class="wp-block-cover alignfull is-light"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-state-gold-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-state-dark-gray-color has-text-color">2023 International Women of Courage</h2> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-25 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-cover alignwide is-light" id="hekmat"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-state-white-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide has-state-dark-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color">Dr. Zakira Hekmat</h3> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 36px;">Afghanistan (residing in Türkiye)</span></p> </div> <div style="height:12px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 28px;">“Courage is the ability to face and overcome challenges and adversity in pursuit of one’s beliefs and values, even when the odds seem insurmountable. Courage for me is not just a momentary act but a continuous journey of pushing against the obstacles and striving to create change in society.”</span></p> </div></div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img decoding="async" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Afghanistan.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-426740 size-full" srcset="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Afghanistan.jpg 1000w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Afghanistan-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Afghanistan-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Afghanistan-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Afghanistan-48x48.jpg 48w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Afghanistan-160x160.jpg 160w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Afghanistan-332x332.jpg 332w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p>Born an internally displaced person in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, Zakira Hekmat completed high school secretly under the Taliban’s first period of control.  After winning a scholarship to study in Türkiye, she eventually qualified as a medical doctor in 2018.  Throughout her medical studies, Dr. Hekmat volunteered with refugee assistance organizations where she recognized a need to advocate for marginalized refugee groups’ rights and access to services.  From a one-room office, she founded the Afghan Refugee Solidarity Association in Türkiye in 2014, where she has since worked tirelessly to advocate for the rights of all refugees and women.  As one of the few female leaders of a refugee-led community organization in Türkiye, she called on the Turkish government and public not to forget and assist those fleeing conflict and persecution, especially after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in the summer of 2021.  Thanks to Dr. Hekmat’s efforts, many Afghans, especially women, girls, and minorities, have received access to refugee protection and asylum.    </p> </div></div> </div> </div></div> <div class="wp-block-cover alignwide is-light"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim" style="background-color:#d7d8d9"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide has-state-dark-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" id="rueda"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color">Ms. Alba Rueda</h3> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 36px;">Argentina</span></p> </div> <div style="height:12px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-4 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="682" height="682" src="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Argentina.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-424754 size-full" srcset="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Argentina.jpeg 682w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Argentina-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Argentina-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Argentina-48x48.jpeg 48w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Argentina-160x160.jpeg 160w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Argentina-332x332.jpeg 332w" sizes="(max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 28px;">“Courage is understanding that situations can be different and assuming the power to transform them.”</span></p> </div></div></div> <div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p>Alba Rueda, Argentina’s current Special Envoy for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, was the first Argentine Undersecretary for Diversity Policies in the newly created Ministry of Women, Gender, and Diversity.  Ms. Rueda was the driving force behind Argentina’s executive order on the transgender labor quota in the public sector which was converted into the Transgender Labor Quota Act.  She previously worked in the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights in their National Institute against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism (INADI) as well as the Argentine Secretariat for Human Rights.  She is one of the founders of Argentina Trans Women (MTA) and actively engages with Notitrans, the first transgender magazine in Argentina.  She actively campaigned to change the name of the National Women’s Conference to the “Plurinational Conference of Women and Lesbian, Cross-Dresser, Transgender, Bisexual, Intersex and Non-Binary Persons” to include diverse, dissident, and racialized identities.  Her activism led her to fight for the Marriage Equality Act, the Gender Identity Act, and the Diana Sacayán and Lohana Berkins Act on the Promotion of Access to Formal Employment by Cross-Dresser, Transsexual and Transgender Persons.  Her hope is to establish an LGBTQI+ foreign policy agenda and mainstream it into the various negotiation fora, including into multilateral fora and bilateral relations as well as represent the Global South.</p> </div></div> </div> </div></div> <div class="wp-block-cover alignwide is-light" id="darlan"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-state-white-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide has-state-dark-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-5 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color">Professor Danièle Darlan</h3> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 36px;">Central African Republic</span></p> </div> <div style="height:12px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-6 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 28px;">“Courage is facing life’s trials, rising back up and continuing, and maintaining your integrity even in adversity.”</span></p> </div></div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Central-African-Republic.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-424755 size-full" srcset="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Central-African-Republic.jpg 1000w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Central-African-Republic-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Central-African-Republic-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Central-African-Republic-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Central-African-Republic-48x48.jpg 48w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Central-African-Republic-160x160.jpg 160w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Central-African-Republic-332x332.jpg 332w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p>Professor Danièle Darlan, the former President of the Central African Republic’s Constitutional Court, has earned the title of an International Woman of Courage for her defense of her nation’s constitution, her heroism in safeguarding judicial independence, and her refusal to be influenced by threats or political pressure.  Her final act as President of the Court before her removal by the government, in which she found that methods proposed to redraft the constitution were not legally sound, exemplified her unwavering commitment to the rule of law. This courageous stand capped a lengthy and distinguished career as a lawyer, educator, judge, and advocate for institution building and women’s rights in one of the world’s poorest countries.  Professor Darlan’s championship of equity and transparency in the Central African Republic’s legal system has endured through coups d’état and years of civil conflict.  As the Central African Republic’s most prominent female government official and the first woman to head the Constitutional Court, her tenacity has earned her the nickname “Woman of Iron” and a top spot on Jeune Afrique’s list of “The Thirty Building Tomorrow’s Africa.”</p> </div></div> </div> </div></div> <div class="wp-block-cover alignwide is-light" id="rios"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim" style="background-color:#d7d8d9"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide has-state-dark-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color">Ms. Doris Ríos</h3> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 36px;">Costa Rica</span></p> </div> <div style="height:12px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Costa-Rica.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-424756 size-full" srcset="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Costa-Rica.jpg 1000w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Costa-Rica-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Costa-Rica-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Costa-Rica-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Costa-Rica-48x48.jpg 48w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Costa-Rica-160x160.jpg 160w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Costa-Rica-332x332.jpg 332w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 28px;">“Courage is to raise your voice in spite of fear, tears, and pain.”</span></p> </div></div></div> <div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p>Doris Ríos is a recognized Cabécarindigenous leader and well-respected member of the China Kichá indigenous community.  Ms. Ríos is involved in multiple influential initiatives to improve indigenous lives.  She is the Vice-president of the National Indigenous Board of Costa Rica, which implements programs for indigenous communities centered around agriculture, animal care, reforestation, and cultural training.  Ms. Ríos also acts as a consultant for legislators, executive and judicial branch institutions, international organizations, and civil society on how development projects or legislation may affect indigenous territories, helping to promote the “<em>buenvivir</em>” philosophy of living in harmony with one’s environment held by many indigenous peoples.  As a member of the National Women’s Indigenous Forum, Ms. Ríos advocated for the participation of women in issues of security, sustainable development, peaceful defense of human rights, and the recovering of indigenous land.  Ms. Ríos was also a member of the Indigenous Committees to Address COVID -19.  She worked to raise awareness regarding the vulnerability of indigenous people and their limited access to vital resources and medical care during the pandemic.</p> </div></div> </div> </div></div> <div class="wp-block-cover alignwide is-light" id="mohammed"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-state-white-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide has-state-dark-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color">Meaza Mohammed</h3> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 36px;">Ethiopia</span></p> </div> <div style="height:12px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-10 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 28px;">“Courage is choosing the truth and to stand for it, even if it isn’t popular, because in the end, the truth shall make you free.”</span></p> </div></div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="974" height="974" src="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ethiopia.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-424757 size-full" srcset="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ethiopia.jpg 974w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ethiopia-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ethiopia-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ethiopia-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ethiopia-48x48.jpg 48w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ethiopia-160x160.jpg 160w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ethiopia-332x332.jpg 332w" sizes="(max-width: 974px) 100vw, 974px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p>Meaza Mohammed, a veteran Ethiopian journalist, is the founder of Roha TV, an independent YouTube-based news and information channel.  Such channels have become increasingly popular in Ethiopia, where broadcast media are almost entirely state-controlled, as a way to disseminate news and analysis that diverges from the official government line.  Her reporting has included coverage of the survivors of gender-based violence, including sexual violence in the current conflict—women she has then worked directly with to find treatment and other resources.  On her platform, Mohammed has shared interviews with dozens of women who were been raped or otherwise sexually assaulted by armed militants during the northern conflict.   She has been a strong voice advocating for investigation of and accountability for human rights violations during the conflict, impressing foreign observers with her clear drive, determination, and perseverance to speak the truth and to share the stories she saw with the world.  She produced a documentary about 17 students abducted from university and continues to work on freeing them three years later through the NGO she helped found on their behalf.  Mohammed’s vocal activism has not been without personal risk.  She has been arrested repeatedly and charged with multiple counts, including allegedly spreading false rumors and disclosing the army’s battlefield location to the enemy.  Despite her arrests, Mohammed remains committed to advocating for victims of gender-based violence and ensuring accountability for the crimes committed against them.</p> </div></div> </div> </div></div> <div class="wp-block-cover alignwide is-light" id="abdel-aziz"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim" style="background-color:#d7d8d9"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide has-state-dark-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-11 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color">Ms. Hadeel Abdel Aziz</h3> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 36px;">Jordan</span></p> </div> <div style="height:12px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-12 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="533" height="533" src="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Jordan.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-424758 size-full" srcset="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Jordan.jpg 533w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Jordan-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Jordan-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Jordan-48x48.jpg 48w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Jordan-160x160.jpg 160w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Jordan-332x332.jpg 332w" sizes="(max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 28px;">“Finding the strength to withstand adversity, and to make difficult decisions not because you are unaware of the risks, but because you are driven towards a bigger dream.”</span></p> </div></div></div> <div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p>Human rights activist Hadeel Abdel Aziz is a frontline defender of Jordan’s most marginalized, including juveniles, refugees, migrants, and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.  As founder of the Justice Center for Legal Aid (JCLA), a leading legal aid provider in Jordan, Ms. Abdel Aziz has built a nationwide network of clinics which provide services to thousands of vulnerable individuals every year.  Ms. Abdel Aziz and JCLA have played a critical role in advocating against arbitrary detention, including detention of women “for their own protection” from so-called honor crimes.  Ms. Abdel Aziz has been a consistent advocate for access to justice for all Jordanians, and a constructive partner with government institutions. Over more than a decade of leadership, she has demonstrated courage in presenting a clear-eyed vision for how a fairer justice system can strengthen Jordan.</p> </div></div> </div> </div></div> <div class="wp-block-cover alignwide is-light" id="toregozhina"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-state-white-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide has-state-dark-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-13 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color">Bakhytzhan Toregozhina</h3> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 36px;">Kazakhstan</span></p> </div> <div style="height:12px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-14 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 28px;">“[Courage is] the ability to be free and honest.”</span></p> </div></div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Kazakhstan.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-424759 size-full" srcset="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Kazakhstan.jpg 1000w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Kazakhstan-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Kazakhstan-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Kazakhstan-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Kazakhstan-48x48.jpg 48w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Kazakhstan-160x160.jpg 160w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Kazakhstan-332x332.jpg 332w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p>Bakhytzhan Toregozhina is a civil society activist who has campaigned for the protection of fundamental human rights in Kazakhstan for nearly twenty-five years.  Since January 2022, she has been the head of “Qantar 2022” (January 2022) a coalition of civil society organizations working to assist victims and document human rights violations associated with the widespread unrest that occurred in Kazakhstan last January.  Throughout her career, Toregozhina has been a leading voice representing victims of torture, abuse, and politicized repression.  She has worked to defend people persecuted for the peaceful expression of their beliefs and has successfully campaigned for the release of many political prisoners.  As a result of her work, she has repeatedly faced threats and harassment.  Her decades-long commitment to this difficult work stands as testament to the vital role human rights defenders can play in holding governments accountable and encouraging respect for basic rights and freedoms.  She continues these efforts today through Qantar 2022, and her public foundation “Ar.Rukh.Khak” (Dignity.Spirit.Truth)</p> </div></div> </div> </div></div> <div class="wp-block-cover alignwide is-light" id="ras-adiba"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim" style="background-color:#d7d8d9"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide has-state-dark-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-15 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color">Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi</h3> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 36px;">Malaysia</span></p> </div> <div style="height:12px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-16 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="855" height="855" src="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Malaysia.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-424761 size-full" srcset="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Malaysia.jpeg 855w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Malaysia-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Malaysia-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Malaysia-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Malaysia-48x48.jpeg 48w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Malaysia-160x160.jpeg 160w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Malaysia-332x332.jpeg 332w" sizes="(max-width: 855px) 100vw, 855px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 28px;">“Having courage makes the invisible, visible.  Hence continuing to uphold human rights and freedom, despite the struggles and hardships, is of the utmost.  We are not here alone, but, as Peoples of the earth. We pick up the pieces, strategise and rise, together.”</span></p> </div></div></div> <div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p>Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi has spent most of her professional life advancing and promoting human rights, selflessly advocating for vulnerable populations and using her platforms to shed light on injustices in Malaysian society.   She was first known as a famous broadcast journalist and news presenter, television presenter, and sports commentator.  Born able bodied, she became permanently paralyzed from the waist down after a spinal injury following a car accident and then a brutal assault six years after the accident.  Since then, she has committed her life to fighting for the rights of persons with disabilities in Malaysia.  After her injuries, she continued as a journalist while also founding OKU Sentral, an NGO to empower the persons with disabilities community.  Because of her prominence and over 34 years’ experience in journalism, she has raised the conversation about rights and access for persons with disabilities to the national level and made it normal for people to see her on TV or in parliament in a wheelchair.  In May 2020, the Malaysian King appointed Ras Adiba Radzi senator as the representative for persons with disabilities.  In November 2020, Senator Ras Adiba was appointed the first female chair of the Malaysian national news agency, Bernama, significant as Malaysia lacks women, and even more so persons with disabilities, in leadership roles.  Senator Ras Adiba also became a national Paralympic sharpshooter and earned a spot in the Malaysian Book of Records for ‘wheeling’ 420km in 13 days from Johor Bharu to Putrajaya in her wheelchair.</p> </div></div> </div> </div></div> <div class="wp-block-cover alignwide is-light" id="ganbold"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-state-white-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide has-state-dark-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-17 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color">Brigadier General Bolor Ganbold</h3> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 36px;">Mongolia</span></p> </div> <div style="height:12px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-18 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 28px;">“When you look back, courage is each and every moment of your life spent honorably.”</span></p> </div></div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="758" height="758" src="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Mongolia.png" alt="" class="wp-image-424762 size-full" srcset="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Mongolia.png 758w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Mongolia-300x300.png 300w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Mongolia-150x150.png 150w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Mongolia-48x48.png 48w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Mongolia-160x160.png 160w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Mongolia-332x332.png 332w" sizes="(max-width: 758px) 100vw, 758px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p>In nearly 30 years of service to her country, Brigadier General Bolor Ganbold has achieved a series of firsts that have broken barriers and opened the door for other women to follow; from being the first female cadet admitted to the Military University of Mongolia to being Mongolia’s first female staff officer assigned to a United Nations Peacekeeping Operation. On March 18, 2022, Brigadier General Bolor earned yet another first, becoming the first woman general in the Mongolian Armed Forces. Her experiences as a member of both the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad in 2010 and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in 2013, as well as serving as a Peacekeeping Affairs Officer within the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, have guided her efforts in seeking to reduce the various barriers that prevent women from fully developing their potential as peacekeepers. Brigadier General Bolor utilizes her current position as the Chief of the Education and Training Directorate of the General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces to advance gender equality in all facets of the Mongolian Armed Forces’ organizational structure, activities, and operations.</p> </div></div> </div> </div></div> <div class="wp-block-cover alignwide is-light" id="zalewska"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim" style="background-color:#d7d8d9"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide has-state-dark-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-19 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color">Mrs. Bianka Zalewska</h3> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 36px;">Poland</span></p> </div> <div style="height:12px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-20 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="944" height="944" src="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Poland.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-424763 size-full" srcset="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Poland.jpg 944w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Poland-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Poland-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Poland-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Poland-48x48.jpg 48w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Poland-160x160.jpg 160w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Poland-332x332.jpg 332w" sizes="(max-width: 944px) 100vw, 944px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 28px;">“Courage is not the lack of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it.”</span></p> </div></div></div> <div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p>Bianka Zalewska is a Polish humanitarian and journalist who has selflessly documented Russian aggression in Ukraine since 2014 and advocated for the people of Ukraine for more than a decade. She persevered through life-threatening injuries suffered when her press car came under fire from Russian proxy forces in Luhansk Oblast in 2014. She persists in the face of disinformation campaigns and online threats personally aimed at her and her family and the risks of violence and injury during her frequent work inside Ukraine. As a visible advocate for the inclusion of refugees from Ukraine, Mrs. Zalewska advocates as host of one of the most-watched morning shows in Poland while simultaneously compiling the stories of refugees and documenting evidence of war crimes to send to Polish authorities. In the face of ever-present threats, Mrs. Zalewska remains unintimidated and continues to welcome refugees from Ukraine, bring to light Russian atrocities, report truthfully and responsibly from the frontlines, and personally deliver aid inside Ukraine. </p> </div></div> </div> </div></div> <div class="wp-block-cover alignwide is-light" id="paievska"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-state-white-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide has-state-dark-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-21 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color">Mrs. Yuliia Paievska</h3> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 36px;">Ukraine</span></p> </div> <div style="height:12px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-22 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p class="has-text-align-center"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond; font-size: 24px;">“Courage means the ability to stay focused on a higher goal regardless of circumstances; to go to the end remaining faithful to your convictions, to remember where the truth is in the face of death. Courage is to serve and protect your people, to act for the good of your country, for the sake of the future generations and the idea of freedom for the whole world.”</span></p> </div></div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="853" height="853" src="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ukraine.png" alt="" class="wp-image-424764 size-full" srcset="https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ukraine.png 853w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ukraine-300x300.png 300w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ukraine-150x150.png 150w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ukraine-768x768.png 768w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ukraine-48x48.png 48w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ukraine-160x160.png 160w, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Ukraine-332x332.png 332w" sizes="(max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px" /></figure></div> <div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p>Yuliia “Taira” Paievska has demonstrated extraordinary moral and physical courage in defending Ukraine against relentless Russian aggression.  She provided medical treatment to Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity protestors in 2013, and as head of Taira’s Angels, a volunteer unit of paramedics, she provided tactical medical training on the Donbas front lines from 2014 to 2018.  Mrs. Paievska is best known for her work secretly filming and smuggling out videos documenting atrocities committed by Russia’s forces in Mariupol.  Russia’s forces detained Mrs. Paievska on March 16 as she attempted to evacuate women and children from Mariupol to Zaporizhzhya, despite her clear non-combatant status.  During a three-month imprisonment, Mrs. Paievska lived in a tiny cell with 22 other women, losing 20 pounds and enduring torture and beatings. Moreover, the Kremlin’s propagandists falsely maligned her internationally as a fascist and war criminal.  To date, Mrs. Paievska has rescued over 600 people.  Yet Mrs. Paievska refused to be silenced, and since her release has compellingly advocated for Ukrainian democracy and independence both at home and abroad.</p> </div></div> </div> </div></div> <div class="wp-block-cover alignwide is-light" id="honorary-group"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim" style="background-color:#d7d8d9"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow"> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide has-state-dark-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-23 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-state-white-color has-text-color">Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award – the Women and Girl Protestors of Iran</h3> <div style="height:12px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-24 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"><div class="wp-block-paragraph"> <p>The September 16 death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, visiting Tehran from her home in Kurdistan, while in the custody of Iran’s so-called “Morality Police,” sparked months of grassroots, women-led protests across Iran’s 31 provinces.  Iran’s state-sponsored violence against women has a long history, yet Amini’s brutal killing touched a nerve in Iranian society, galvanizing a protest movement.  In the days following Amini’s death, Iranian women and girls took the streets, removing and burning their headscarves, and cutting their hair.  Their courage and defiance inspired waves of others – including men and boys – to join them en masse.  Schoolgirls also joined the movement; social media quickly filled with images of young girls defiantly protesting in their classrooms and standing up to school administrators who tried to stop them.  Despite the brutal response that followed, which killed hundreds of peaceful protesters, including around 70 children, the women and girls of Iran persisted.</p> </div></div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> </div></div> </div> </div>  <div class="wavy-bg">  </div>  </article>  <div class="row report__back-to-top"> <span class="report__back-to-top__spacer"></span> <span class="report__back-to-top__button" data-component="backtotop"> <button class="button button--back-to-top icon-arrow-single-line-up">Back to Top</button> </span> </div> </main> </div>  <footer class="site-footer footer"> <div class="footer__content frame"> <div class="footer__primary-wrapper"> <div class="footer__logo"> <a class="footer__logo-image" title="United States Department of State" href="https://www.state.gov"></a> </div> <div class="footer__primary"> <div class="menu-footer-primary-navigation-container"><ul id="menu-footer-primary-navigation" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-15994" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-15994"><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/">White House</a></li> <li id="menu-item-15995" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-15995"><a href="https://www.usa.gov/">USA.gov</a></li> <li id="menu-item-15996" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-15996"><a href="https://www.stateoig.gov/">Office of the Inspector General</a></li> <li id="menu-item-67737" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-67737"><a href="https://www.state.gov/u-s-department-of-state-archive-websites/">Archives</a></li> <li id="menu-item-15998" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-15998"><a href="https://register.state.gov/contactus/contactusform">Contact Us</a></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> <div class="footer__aux">  <div class="social_links_footer"> <span class="followus">follow us</span> <section class="module module--front-page-social-media front-page-social-media" aria-label="Social Media" role="group"> <div class="frame">  <a href="https://www.facebook.com/statedept" class="icon fab fa-facebook-f" target="_blank" aria-label="State Department on Facebook"><span class="screen-reader-text">Facebook</span></a> <a href="https://x.com/StateDept" class="icon fab fa-twitter" target="_blank" aria-label="State Department on X"><span class="screen-reader-text">X</span></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/statedept/" class="icon fab fa-instagram" target="_blank" aria-label="State Department on Instagram"><span class="screen-reader-text">Instagram</span></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/statevideo" class="icon fab fa-youtube" target="_blank" aria-label="State Department on YouTube"><span class="screen-reader-text">YouTube</span></a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/statephotos/" class="icon fab fa-flickr" target="_blank" aria-label="State Department on Flickr"><span class="screen-reader-text">Flickr</span></a> <a href="https://www.state.gov/department-email-updates/" class="icon fas fa-envelope" target="_blank" aria-label="State Department on GovDelivery"><span class="screen-reader-text">GovDelivery</span></a> </div> </section>  </div> <div class="menu-footer-auxiliary-navigation-container"><ul id="menu-footer-auxiliary-navigation" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-54473" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-54473"><a href="https://www.state.gov/privacy-policy/">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li id="menu-item-54474" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-54474"><a href="https://www.state.gov/section-508-accessibility-statement/">Accessibility Statement</a></li> <li id="menu-item-54475" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-54475"><a href="https://www.state.gov/copyright-information/">Copyright Information</a></li> <li id="menu-item-16003" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-16003"><a href="https://foia.state.gov/">FOIA</a></li> <li id="menu-item-54477" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-54477"><a href="https://www.state.gov/key-topics-office-of-civil-rights/eeo-no-fear-act-whistleblower-protection-acts/">No FEAR Act</a></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </footer>  </div>  <style type="text/css">.wmpci-popup-wrp .wmpci-popup-body{background-color: #ffffff;border-width: 0px; 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