Two Afghans get Women of Courage Award

New York, March 7, 2007 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Two Afghan women Mary Akrami and Aziza Siddiqui have got the first International Women of Courage Award announced by the United States of America Tuesday.

While, Mary Akrami runs the Afghan Women Skills Development Center, which was established in 1999 to reduce the suffering of Afghan women and children, Aziza Siddiqui is the Women's Rights Coordinator of Action Aid.

In all 10 women from various parts of the world have been selected for this US award. The Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, would be presenting them with the award at a special function in Washington on March 7 (March 8 for Kabul).

The award was established by the State Department, at the initiative of Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, to recognize women around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for women's rights and advancement.

A State Department spokesman told Pajhwok Afghan News that both Akrami and Siddiqui are in Washington at the invitation of the US government to receive the award.

Among other awardees include Jennifer Louise Williams from Zimbabwe, Dr. Siti Musdah Mulia (Indonesia), Ilze Jaunalksne (Latvia), Dr. Samia al-Amoudi (Saudi Arabia), Mariya Ahmed Didi (Maldives), Susana Trimarco de Veron (Argentina), Dr. Sundus Abbas (Iraq) and Shatha Abdul Razzak Abbousi (Iraq).