Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea: The U.S. Embassy is encouraging people in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu to nominate exceptional women for U.S. Secretary of State’s International Woman of Courage Award. This award honors women who are making history in their countries and communities. The U.S. Embassy encourages nominations of awesome women who have worked to better their societies, fight discrimination or strife, resolve conflicts, as well as those who have taken risks to run for office or break down barriers in order to promote positive change.
“We want to celebrate the contributions of some of the amazing women who are standing up for our future. A woman of courage might be an educator, a health practitioner, a lawyer, or a human rights defender. She might be a religious leader, in business, a healer, a political activist, or a peace builder,” said U.S. Ambassador Walter North.
Women working in the political, human rights, economic, social, judicial, health, educational, press/media, peace and national reconciliation, and scientific and technological arenas are eligible. The U.S. Embassy will consider women who have taken unusual risks, surmounted difficult obstacles, or challenged harmful cultural practices or discrimination in their efforts to promote progress for women and girls, and for their society as a whole. Nominations are due by November 14 to the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby.
Each year, the U.S. Secretary of State presents one exceptional woman with this prestigious award. Since the award’s inception in 2007, the United States has honored women who have risked their lives and well-being to stop human trafficking, gender-based violence, child marriage, and corruption. The award has honored women who have been imprisoned, tortured, and threatened with death for standing up for justice, human rights, constitutional reform, and the rule of law.
One nominee per country (one each for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu) will be chosen and their names will be sent to Washington, DC for consideration for Secretary’s International Woman of Courage Award. One top finalist from each geographic region around the world is selected to participate in a high-profile ceremony and program of events in Washington, D.C., in commemoration of International Women’s Day in March. As part of that trip to Washington, D.C., the top finalists also participate in a two-week program to network with American counterparts in additional cities in the United States and meet leaders working to advance women’s empowerment in the United States. Since its inception, the Secretary’s Award has been conferred upon 65 remarkable women from more than 40 countries.