International Women of Courage Award Presented to Fariba Baluch: 'Resistance' is the Only Path Forward

The International Women of Courage Awards, presented by the U.S. Department of State, were held on Monday, March 5, with the presence of Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States, and Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State. Among the 13 winners this year was Fariba Baluch, an Iranian human rights activist. In his speech, Secretary Blinken stated that Fariba Baluch has faced 'ongoing threats' from Iranian security forces, yet these threats have not deterred her from continuing her activities. When Blinken recounted Baluch's words, 'This is my path; it is my duty; I will not accept being silenced,' she received applause from the audience. Blinken further noted that all the women honored this year exhibit tenacity, determination to protest, and refusal to accept the status quo. He highlighted the extraordinary contributions of other awardees, including support for workers in Bangladesh, advocacy for the disabled in Afghanistan, exposing corruption in Uganda, combating sexual violence in Japan, supporting children born from wartime sexual violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and fighting for democracy in Belarus. Blinken also mentioned the absence of Marta Beatriz Roque Caballero from Cuba, who could not attend due to a long-standing campaign of detention and mistreatment by the Cuban government, as well as her travel ban. Jill Biden remarked that this year's winners have refused to bow to the silence that silences cries for justice, freedom, and equality. She addressed the awardees, stating that they have raised their voices against fear and danger on behalf of themselves and others. Jill Biden expressed her admiration for their 'inner strength' and noted that these women create opportunities for others who do not have access to them. She concluded her remarks by stating, 'Your fight is our fight, and we are stronger than any force that hopes to silence our voices.' Following her, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House Press Secretary, emphasized that 'courage' is necessary for protesting, a sentiment shared by this year's winners and her parents, who fled dictatorship in Haiti. She explained that her parents' search for freedom and democracy led them to the United States, and due to the struggles they faced, she decided to amplify the voices of marginalized individuals. The program continued with short clips of this year's winners' speeches, followed by the presentation of awards. Fariba Baluch identified herself as a representative of the brave women of Baluchistan and Iran. She mentioned that she has been a teacher and women's rights activist in Baluchistan and continued her human rights work after moving to the UK to ensure that Iranian women's voices are heard regarding their hardships and issues. Subsequently, Samantha Power, head of the U.S. Agency for International Development, invited Baluch, who attended the ceremony in traditional Baluchi attire, to receive her award from Antony Blinken and Jill Biden. Power introduced Baluch as an advocate for 'the rights of systematically oppressed women and minorities,' including in Sistan and Baluchistan, Iran. Power referred to the arrest of Baluch's son and brother to intimidate her after she fled to London, quoting Baluch as stating that 'resistance' is the only way forward. The U.S. Department of State announced on March 2 that Fariba Baluch, an Iranian women's rights activist, is among the 13 winners of the 2024 International Women of Courage Award. This year marks the 18th year of the awards, which honor women from around the world who have fought with courage, strength, and exceptional leadership for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls. The State Department described Baluch as a human rights activist based in London, originally from Sistan and Baluchistan, Iran, and a member of the marginalized Baluch ethnic group. She speaks candidly about women's rights and the human rights crisis in Sistan and Baluchistan, which has been severely impacted by regime violence, executions, and systemic discrimination. The department further stated that Iranian authorities have threatened Baluch with death due to her human rights activities and have detained her son and brother in Iran to intimidate her. Nevertheless, Baluch believes that resistance is the only way forward and continues her advocacy for Iranian women's rights and raising awareness of the regime's gender, ethnic, and sectarian discrimination. A documentary titled 'In This Cage,' produced by Hojjat Tavakoli, a journalist for the Persian section of Voice of America, focuses on the life of Fariba Baluch and highlights the compounded suffering of the people, especially women, of Sistan and Baluchistan, Baluch's homeland. Other winners of the 2024 International Women of Courage Award include Benafsha Yaqoubi from Afghanistan, Reina Gunoi from Japan, Marta Beatriz Roque Caballero from Cuba, and Fawzia Karim Firouzeh from Bangladesh. The ceremony was broadcast live with simultaneous translation on television, the website, and social media of Voice of America. This award has been presented to over 190 women human rights defenders from 90 countries worldwide. Last year, on March 8, during the 2023 International Women of Courage Award ceremony, the honorary 'Madeleine Albright' award was presented to 'the protesting women and girls of Iran.'