Meet Jestina Mukoko a 2010 International Women of Courage Award Honoree:
Ms. Mukoko is the Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), an NGO that monitors human rights abuses throughout the country. ZPP's reports provide the international community with accurate assessments of human rights abuses, including violence against women and politically-biased distribution of food, and were particularly crucial during the violent 2008 election period. Ms. Mukoko is a long-time leader in the human rights and activist communities in Zimbabwe, and, as a broadcaster for the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, a pioneering role model.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama stand with Honoree Jestina Mukoko of Zimbabwe at the 2010 International Women of Courage Awards at the U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. March 10, 2010.
On December 3, 2008, Ms. Mukoko was abducted from her home by state security agents. She was beaten, tortured, forced to confess to an alleged plot to mount a terrorist incursion from neighboring Botswana, and subsequently imprisoned. A court granted her bail on March 2, 2009.
After Ms. Mukoko appealed her arrest through the courts, the Zimbabwean Supreme Court finally ruled on September 28 that state security forces had violated her human rights to such an extent as to warrant a permanent stay of prosecution in the case against her. A concurrent civil suit is still pending. In the election-related violence that blanketed Zimbabwe in mid-2008, women often suffered particularly harsh abuse at the hands of security agents and ZANU-PF youths. Ms. Mukoko's abduction and subsequent court case brought the subject of politically-motivated violence – particularly violence against women – and human rights abuses home to all Zimbabweans. Across the country, people in villages discussed "what happened to Jestina."
In a country in which regime-sponsored violence and intimidation has often silenced opponents, Ms. Mukoko's ongoing legal case is an important statement against violence and oppression. Her bravery in calling to account those responsible for her abduction and torture, as well as her insistence on continuing her role as head of ZPP, has only reinforced her position as a leading human rights defender in one of the most oppressive countries in the world.
Ms. Mukoko is one of several women honored by SOS Hillary Clinton and FLOTUS Michelle Obama at the 2010 International Women of Courage Award at the State Department and Cosponsored by Avon.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton: Now today once again, we are honoring women from around the world who have endured isolation and intimidation, violence and imprisonment. Many have even risked their lives to advance justice, freedom, and equal rights for everyone. Their stories remind us of how much work there is left to do before the rights and dignity of all people – no matter who you are or where you live – are respected and protected by the world’s governments. But these women prove that change is possible. They are brave and they are making a difference, and they are up against powerful interests determined to bring them down. By honoring them today, the United States and the Obama Administration sends a very clear message that though they may work in lonely circumstances, they are not alone. We are standing with you.
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U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama stands with (L to R): Reese Witherspoon, the Women of Courage honorees, and Andrea Jung at the 2010 International Women of Courage Awards at the U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. March 10, 2010.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama stand with Honoree Ann Njogu of Kenya at the 2010 International Women of Courage Awards at the U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. March 10, 2010.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama stand with Honoree Dr. Lee Ae-ran of the Republic of Korea at the 2010 International Women of Courage Awards at the U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. March 10, 2010.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama stand with Honoree Jansila Majeed of Sri Lanka at the 2010 International Women of Courage Awards at the U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. March 10, 2010.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama stand with Honoree Sister Marie Claude Naddaf of Syria at the 2010 International Women of Courage Awards at the U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. March 10, 2010.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton shakes hands with Honoree Shukria Asil of Afghanistan at the 2010 International Women of Courage at the U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. March 10, 2010.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton shakes hands with Honoree Colonel Shafiqa Quraishi of Afghanistan at the 2010 International Women of Courage at the U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. March 10, 2010.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton stands with Avon's Global Ambassador Reese Witherspoon, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Avon's Chairwoman and CEO Andrea Jung at the 2010 International Women of Courage Awards at the U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. March 10, 2010.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama stand with the honorees at the 2010 International Women of Courage at the U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. March 10, 2010.
The 2010 International Women of Courage Award Winner Biographies can be found here.
Source/Photos courtesy of
The U.S. Department of State
Bonus photo and video:
First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton share a laugh after Michelle Obama's flubbing of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's title: