Dr. Josephine Odumakin who was recently awarded the 2013 United State Secretary of State’s International Woman of Courage Award.
The U.S. First Lady, Michelle Obama, with Secretary of state, John Kerry
presented Josephine’s award to her at the Dean Acheson Auditorium of
the US State Department at a ceremony which coincided with the International Women’s Day.
This is where boundless people sit...before great men.
Dr. Odumakin is an inspiration to young
women; a brave woman who has been on the forefront of over 2,000 cases
of violations of women’s rights, including cases of extra judicial
practices committed by government security agencies against women. Often
times, these cases include extra judicial killings of women by the
police or their spouses, assault of women by law enforcement personnel
for any pretext as well as deaths of children and women through
negligence on the part of school or hospital authorities. Dr. Odumakin
heads the Campaign for Democracy and has been involved with a lot of
initiatives to broaden Nigeria’s democracy.
She is currently the Executive Director
of the Institute of Human Rights and Democratic Studies; President of
Women Arise for Change Initiative; Chairman, Task Force of the Citizen
Forum; Spokesperson, Coalition of Civil Society Organizations; and
President, Centre for Participatory Democracy.
Dr. Odumakin is usually seen leading
almost every protest, march, lecture or workshop aimed at encouraging
the rule of law and governing justly and democratically. She was one of
the prominent people behind the Occupy Nigeria protests
against the Federal Government’s increase in the price of fuel early
last year. Her advocacy led her to be arrested and detained seventeen
times during the dictatorship of General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime.
The annual Secretary of State’s
International Women of Courage Award which was established in 2007
honors women around the globe who have exemplified exceptional courage
and leadership in advocating for human rights, women’s equality, and
social progress, often at great personal risk.
The award was also presented to nine
other women from other countries including Afghanistan, Egypt, Honduras,
Russia, Somalia, China, Syria, Vietnam and India.
Congratulations Dr. Odumakin!
1 comment:
You are throuhhly a woman of courage.Keep the flag flying.Your one of your oldest friends: OREOLUWA SUNDAY ADEDAYO (OSA),UNILORIN 07031219448
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