The First Lady of the U.S., Melania Trump, was part of the Women of Corage Awards gala (“Mujeres Valientes”), held by the Department of State, just before International Women’s Day.
Government recognized the value of 10 women from different parts of the world. Among the honored women is the Peruvian prosecutor Flor De Maria Vega. She occupies the position of Higher Prosecutor and National Coordinator for Environmental Prosecutors.
Vega was awarded for her work as coordinator of a group of prosecutor that investigate criminal organizations involved in illegal mining and logging activities in the Amazon. According to American diplomacy, the prosecutor’s work has resulted in 500 operations against illegal mining and logging activities since 2016.
Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, also attended the event.
“Mujeres Valientes” gala was created in 2009, since then more than 120 women have been recognized, hailing from over 65 countries around the world, for advocating for human rights, peace and government transparency, according to official information.
Other women awarded in 2019:
- Razia Sultana: Human Rights attorney from Bangladesh, advocated for the Muslim Rohingya who have fled Myanmar.
- Naw K’nyaw Paw: A peace activist and secretary of the Karen Women’s Organization in Myanmar.
- Moumina Houssein Darar: One of the few female police officers in the Djibouti National Police Force, specialized in anti-terrorism investigations.
- Mama Maggie: Established an NGO that serves impoverished urban slums and rural villages in Egypt.
- Col. Khalida Khalaf Hanna al-Twal: Chief of Jordan’s Women’s Police Department.
- Sister Orla Treacy: An Irish nun who helped start a boarding school for girls in South Sudan.
- Olivera Lakic: An investigative journalist in Montenegro, who covers crime and corruption.
