In recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8th, the Department of State has announced the 2007 recipients of the Secretary of State’s Award for International Women of Courage. The award honors women in six regions for, as Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky noted, “exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for women’s rights and advancement.” Secretary Rice added, “women of courage are standing up for freedom and human dignity, and the United States stands with them. We must not forget that the advance of women’s rights and the advance of human liberty go hand in hand.” We thank all the winners for their service and congratulate them on the achievements.

This year’s six regional winners are as follows:

Ms. Jennifer Williams is the founder and inspirational leader of "WOZA" (Women of Zimbabwe Arise), one of the most active civil society organizations in protesting government abuses in Zimbabwe. Ms. Williams has suffered arrest, harassment, and physical abuse. By uniting women in Zimbabwe of all races and ethnic backgrounds to advocate for issues directly affecting them, she has brought social, economic and political issues to national attention. Ms. Williams and WOZA lead annual peaceful marches on Valentine's Day and Mother's Day to promote peace and development, both of which lead to mass arrest of peaceful women who are seen as threatening to the Government of Zimbabwe. Ms. Williams and the organization she founded have provided an example of courage and leadership by working for change through peaceful and nonviolent means.

Dr. Siti Musdah Mulia is the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in Islamic thought from the State Islamic University and the first woman appointed a research professor by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences. A prominent Muslim feminist, Dr. Mulia has used her extensive knowledge of the Quran and Hadiths to advocate for women's rights. Dr. Mulia was part of a team of experts that produced a Counter Legal Draft of Indonesia's Islamic legal code; recommendations included banning polygamy, prohibiting child marriage, and allowing interfaith marriage. In the face of violent protests, the Minister of Religious Affairs canceled the project. Though faced with death threats and condemnation, Dr. Mulia continues to educate Indonesian women about their rights.

Ms. Ilze Jaunalksne is a journalist and anchor of Latvia's top current affairs TV program, DeFacto. She is a trailblazer in the fight against widespread, deep-rooted political corruption in Latvia. In March 2006, she broke the story of a vote buying scandal involving prominent national political leaders from several parties. Her report led to the indictment of several powerful political figures and forced the resignation of a minister. In the face of harassment by political forces, Ms. Jaunalksne took the government to court and sued for defamation of character, the first case of its kind in Latvia. The judge ruled in her favor and the State was ordered to pay her damages, another landmark achievement. In the face of great opposition and threats to her own life, Ms. Jaunalkse is helping to bring about reform for this new democratic nation.

Dr. Samia al-Amoudi is an Ex Vice Dean of the College of Medicine at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. She is the first woman to go live in Saudi Arabia with her story as a breast cancer survivor. She worked tirelessly on awareness and education for Saudi Arabian citizens, mobilizing medical personnel, men and women, families, and students to unite for this cause. Dr. al-Amoudi has done numerous local and regional media, interviews, and speeches, even during her own treatment for breast cancer.

In a Muslim country making an arduous transition to a democratic system of government, Ms. Mariya Ahmed Didi is one of only six women in the 50-member parliament, and one of only two elected women (the other four were appointed by the president). Ms. Didi organized the first-ever women's rights rally in Maldives in March 2006, in response to plain clothes police arresting a female activist from her home late at night. Ms. Didi has faced physical harrassment, arrest, and had her motorbike run off the road by a car full of government supporters. She remains tireless and tenacious in her efforts in a political scene dominated by men. She serves as a role model for a nation full of young women just beginning to become active in politics.

Ms. Susana Trimarco de Veron has faced danger and threats in her efforts to combat human trafficking and to find her daughter, who was kidnapped by traffickers. Desperate to find her missing daughter, Ms. Trimarco put herself in dangerous situations, disguised as a prostitute, trolling bars and alleys in search of anyone who might know her daughter's whereabouts. Despite false leads and death threats, she has uncovered evidence of trafficking networks operating in the provinces of La Rioja, Tucumn, Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and Santa Cruz provinces of Argentina. Thanks to Ms. Trimarco's work, human trafficking is now gaining public and government attention in Argentina, and victims are being encouraged to report the crime.