July uprising: 'Women student protest leaders of Bangladesh' honoured with 2025 Int'l Women of Courage Award
The "Women Student Protest Leaders of Bangladesh" have been honoured with the International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award for their involvement in the 2024 student-people mass uprising.
US Secretary of State's 2025 International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award recipients were announced yesterday (28 March).
The Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award would be given to a valiant group of women who were key drivers in the student protest movement against violent repression in Bangladesh in July-August 2024.
According to the US State Department, they demonstrated extraordinary bravery, including standing between security forces and male protestors in spite of threats and violence.
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When male counterparts were arrested, these women found innovative ways to continue communication and lead the protests, defying censorship efforts, even during the complete shutdown of the internet. The bravery and selflessness of these women amid uncertainty was the very definition of courage.
On Tuesday (1 April) at 1:00pm EDT, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady Melania Trump will host the annual International Women of Courage Award ceremony at the Department of State.
Now in its 19th year, the Secretary of State's IWOC Award recognises women from around the world who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership – often at great personal risk and sacrifice.
Since 2007, the Department of State has recognised more than 200 women from over 90 countries with the IWOC Award.
US diplomatic missions overseas nominate one woman of courage from their respective host countries, and finalists are selected and approved by senior Department officials.
Following the IWOC ceremony, the awardees will participate in an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and additional programming in Los Angeles.
