Melania Trump Speaks at the 'International Women of Courage' Award Ceremony

Melania Trump, the wife of the President of the United States, delivered a speech on Wednesday at the 'International Women of Courage' award ceremony at the U.S. Department of State. During this ceremony, 13 women from countries including Bangladesh, Botswana, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Niger, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkey, Vietnam, and Yemen were awarded the 'International Women of Courage' award. The U.S. Department of State states that the International Women of Courage award is given to women who demonstrate exceptional leadership, courage, and strength in their efforts to improve the lives of others. Mrs. Melania Trump praised these women as 'true heroes,' stating that they fought on the front lines against injustice. According to the White House website, the First Lady said, 'It is a great honor for me to stand alongside these amazing women. Each of these women who received an award today has overcome incredible obstacles to make the world a better place.' She continued, 'As women, we must continue to take brave individual and collective actions to secure the world. As we all know, whenever women disappear, the entire world will vanish with them.' She also emphasized, 'We must continue our efforts for gender empowerment together and respect all individuals of every race and ethnicity, remembering that we are all human beings together, of one race, and each of us has a unique talent to share with the world.' According to the Associated Press, the 'International Women of Courage' award has been presented since 2007, and over a hundred women from more than 60 countries have received it.