KATHMANDU – Muskan Khatun, an acid survivor from Nepal, has won the prestigious International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award. Writing a Facebook post today, the US Embassy in Kathmandu announced that Khatun will be awarded the IWOC for her work to end acid attacks.
While the awardees are invited to Washington D.C. to receive their awards from the First Lady and the Secretary of State in a gala ceremony held on or in proximity to International Women’s Day (March 8th), the award will be conferred virtually this year due to Covid-19.
The IWOC, also referred to as the U.S. Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award, is an American award 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 in promoting women’s rights.
Previous winners include Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel laureate, for her advocacy work for women and girls in Pakistan. According to the US Embassy, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary of State Tony Blinken will host a virtual event on March 8.
In 2019, at the age of 15, Muskan became the victim of an acid attack for rejecting a boy’s advances. She suffered severe burns on her face, chest, and hands. Her recovery was painful and continues to this day.
“Despite this, Muskan turned a tragedy into an opportunity to bring about change in Nepal. Facing threats and social pressure, Muskan lobbied for stronger laws and punishments for acid attacks,” read the statement of the US Embassy.
Earlier in September last year, the government issued an ordinance punishing perpetrators and regulating the sale of chemicals. “Muskan’s leadership was crucial in bringing about change,” the statement added.
