– Lists her for International Women of Courage Award
Ms. Facia Boyenoh Harris, a Liberian lady, has been chosen one of the twelve (12) recipients of the US Department of State’s Annual International Women of Courage Award.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will host the annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Awards in a virtual award ceremony at the US Department of State, according to the US Embassy in Monrovia.
According to the Embassy, the IWOC Award ceremony in 2022 will recognize a group of twelve remarkable women from all over the world. Dr. Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States, will offer remarks in honor of these courageous women’s achievements
Ms. Facia Boyenoh Harris is a life-long activist for women’s rights and against gender-based violence in Liberia, according to the State Department, who claims she is a co-founder of the Paramount Young Women Initiative and has worked for decades to address widespread sexual assault and harassment of school-aged girls, provide opportunities for education, and provide leadership training for the next generation of female leaders.
“She is also a community organizer, from co-founding the Liberian Feminist Forum to facilitating coordination among female advocacy groups to fostering neighborhood activism, where she organizes groups on issues as wide-ranging as political participation, sanitation, and rape”, the Embassy said.
Currently, Ms. Harris is the Director for Outreach and Sensitization of Liberia’s Freedom of Information Act-enforcing Independent Information Commission.
The State Department indicated that courageous women inspire a better world, informing that now in its 16th year, the Secretary of State’s IWOC Award recognizes women from around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equity and equality, and women’s empowerment – often at great personal risk and sacrifice.
Madam Harris was nominated by the US Embassy in Monrovia, as it is customary since March 2007, according to the Embassy, the Department of State has recognized more than 170 awardees from over 80 countries. “U.S. diplomatic missions nominate one woman of courage from their respective host countries and finalists are selected and approved by senior Department officials”.
Madam Harris, according to the Embassy, following the virtual IWOC ceremony, will participate in an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) virtual exchange and connect with American counterparts throughout the United States.
“Ms. Harris will virtually visit Minneapolis, Minnesota and cultivate relationships with her counterparts in Global Minnesota to share strategies and ideas to empower women around the globe.
The Embassy in a retrospect said for over 80 years, the IVLP has connected current and emerging leaders from around the world to the United States through short-term exchanges, emphasizing that the program has grown to include over 225,000 alumni, including more than 500 current and former heads of state, and continues to build vital linkages between U.S. citizens and emerging leaders throughout the world. “The IVLP continues to play a critical role in U.S. foreign policy and provides an opportunity for the next generation of leaders to gain firsthand experience in the United States”, the Embassy concludes.
