DHAKA: International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award winner Journalist Nadia Sharmeen said being a woman is not a curse but an asset to society.
She made the observation after receiving the award at a ceremony held at the US Department of State in Washington DC on March 6.
She said, “I just want to say just believe in yourself, believe that being a woman is not a curse but an asset to our society, and make others believe so.”
Nadia further said, “International Women of Courage Award sounds heavy and serious. Well, it is heavy. This award reminded us that we have much more to do for our society, for the peace of the world, and of course, for advancing the right of the women. And for the long struggle we have to go through, this award is just a beginning, not the end, of course.”
She introduced her as a dreamer who “keeps eyes open while dreaming” and “work hard, face challenges, go through a lot of difficulties and obstacles to make the dream come true”.
She also called all the women to be united to fight against all kinds of oppression.
Nadia Sharmeen is currently working at a private television channel ‘Ekattor TV’.
On May 5 of 2013, Nadia was assaulted while she went to cover the Hefajat-e-Islami rally at Motijheel intersection in city for Ekushey TV, another private satellite channel.
Nadia’s editors refused to provide her medical expenses and forced her to resign but she fought the situation and back on her feet, working in crime beat for a different TV station.
She has even returned to covering conservative rallies, undaunted by those who would rather see her battered and bruised than on the airwaves.
The Deputy Secretary of State Heather Higginbottom said, “For her bravery in the face of condemnation, threats, and physical violence, we honor Nadia Sharmeen as a woman of courage.”
Other nine women were also awarded for their bravery, they include Syria’s Majd Chourbaji for championing the rights of political prisoners and efforts to ensure Syrian women are meaningfully included in resolving conflict; Sabe Phyu of Myanmar for Kachin Peace Network and the Kachin Women Peace Network to raise awareness of the human cost of conflict and to advocate for peace and reconciliation; Captain Niloofar Rahmani of Afghan Air Force; Beatrice Epaye of Central African Republic for her dedication to peace and reconciliation and protecting the most vulnerable.
The awardees also include Kosovo journalist Arbana Xharra who dedicated her career to exposing corruption, shedding light on graft, and changing society peacefully and without strife including reporting on religious extremism, linking local imams and NGOs with foreign terrorist organizations.
Tabassum Adnan, from Afghanistan, started the Khwendo Jirga, or Sisters Council, the first-ever women-only jirga that meets weekly to stop so-called honor killings, acid attacks, and swara, the act of trading women to resolve disputes.
Moreover, another awardee was Rosa Julieta Montano Salvatierra, who spent her entire life making sure the women of Bolivia have a place to turn when justice seems distant or impossible.
Guinean Marie Claire Tchecola, who contracted Ebola and miraculously recovered working as a passionate speaker about the harmful effects of the stigma that plagues Ebola sufferers and survivors, was also in the award list.
The organizers also honored Japan’s Sayaka Osakabe, who founded Matahara Network with the view to stop discriminations that a pregnant woman faces in workplaces and pressured to resign by their colleagues.
The US Department of State has been conferring the IWOC award to the women who have exemplified exceptional courage and leadership and champions of human rights, leaders who advance equality for women and girls, and activists who work tirelessly for social progress, often at great personal risk.
BDST: 2208 HRS, MAR 07, 2015
