Nine bag International Women of Courage Award

The 2013 International Women of Courage Award Ceremony was held at the United States Department of State in Washington, D.C. on March 8, 2013.

Nine women from various countries including some from Africa were honoured at the ceremony which had U.S. First Lady - Michelle Obama and U.S. Secretary of State - John Kerry in attendance.

The International Women of Courage Award is presented annually by the United States Department of State to women around the world who have shown leadership, courage, resourcefulness and willingness to sacrifice for others, especially for better promotion of women's rights.

The 2013 recipients were:

Malalai Bahaduri of Afghanistan

Woser of China

Julieta Castellanos of Honduras

Nirbhaya 'Fearless' of India

Dr Josephine Obiajulu Odumakin of Nigeria

Elena Milashina of Russia

Fartuun Adan of Somalia

Razan Zaitouneh of Syria

Ta Phong Tan of Vietnam