Ranitha Gnanarajah honoured with IWOC Award

Ranitha Gnanarajah, a Sri Lankan lawyer and civil activist was honoured today (09) by First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken with the International Courageous Women award.

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 equality, and women’s empowerment – often at great personal risk and sacrifice.

From the inception of this award in March 2007 to today, the Department of State has recognized more than 155 awardees from over 75 countries. U.S. diplomatic missions overseas nominate one woman of courage from their respective host countries, and finalists are selected and approved by senior Department officials.

Following the virtual IWOC ceremony, the awardees will participate in an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) virtual exchange and connect with their American counterparts. The 2021 awardees in addition to Sri Lanka are from Belarus, Burma, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Congo, Guatemala, Iran, Nepal, Somalia, Spain, Turkey and Venezuela will be recognized at the awards ceremony.

Ranitha Gnanarajah, a lawyer, who continues to fight for and defend the rights of the marginalized and vulnerable communities in the country, has dedicated her career to accountability and justice for victims of enforced disappearances and prisoners.

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