New YorkForeign Press Center
U.S. Department of State

WHAT:          On the Record Briefing Followed by Question and Answer Session

TOPIC:          2015 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage

SPEAKERS: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Richard Stengel; Ms. May Phyu on behalf of the 2015 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Awardees

 WHEN:          Friday, March 13, 2015; 11:00 a.m.

 WHERE:       799 UN Plaza (SW Corner of East 45^th Street and First Avenue)

RSVP:            Please rsvp to NYFPC@state.gov by 3:00pm on Thursday, March 12.

 BACKGROUND:  The Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award annually recognizes women around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment, often at great personal risk.  This year’s recipients reflect women’s roles as agents of change and leaders in many of the crises and challenges facing the world today, from countering violent extremism to promoting security and recovery from the Ebola Virus Disease. Since the inception of this award in 2007, the Department of State has honored 86 women from more than 50 different countries.

The honorees are reconvening in New York March 11-14 to participate in the 59th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, reflect on their visit, and discuss ways to work together to improve the lives of women and girls around the world. Click here to view a message from the honorees. Following the opening remarks, there will be a question and answer session with the speakers and honorees in attendance.

 This year’s honorees are:

Captain Niloofar Rahmani, Afghan Air Force (Afghanistan)**

Ms. Nadia Sharmeen, journalist, women’s rights activist (Bangladesh)

Ms. Rosa Julieta Montaño Salvatierra, Founder and Director, Oficina Jurídica para la Mujer (Bolivia)

Ms. May Sabe Phyu, Director, Gender Equality Network (Burma)

Ms. Béatrice Epaye, President, Fondation Voix du Coeur (Central African Republic)**

Ms. Marie Claire Tchecola, nurse, Ebola survivor and activist (Guinea)

Ms. Sayaka Osakabe, Founder and Representative, Matahara Net (Japan)

Ms. Arbana Xharra, Editor-in-Chief, Zeri (Kosovo)

Ms. Tabassum Adnan, Founder, Khwendo Jirga (Pakistan)

Ms. Majd Chourbaji, External Relations Director, Women Now for Development Centers (Syria)