Ugandan journalist, Agather Atuhaire, has received the 2024 International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award.
Atuhaire, a renowned journalist, lawyer and social justice activist who advocates for human rights, public accountability, and the rule of law in Uganda, received the award on Monday during a ceremony held at the White House by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and First Lady Jill Biden.
She was awarded alongside Benafsha Yaqoobi from Afghanistan, Fawzia Karim Firoze from Bangladesh, Volha Harbunova from Belarus, Ajna Jusić from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Myintzu Win from Burma, Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello from Cuba, Fátima Corozo from Ecuador, Fatou Baldeh from The Gambia, Fariba Balouch from Iran, Rina Gonoi from Japan, and Rabha El Haymar from Morocco.
“Women and girls are leading the charge for their rights and for human rights and democracy around the world. And they’re demonstrating the importance of having women at the decision-making table,” said Secretary Antony Blinken.
Atuhaire’s work as a journalist has brought to light parliamentary abuse of process and excess, threats to multi-party democracy and governance, health sector abuses, sexual harassment in the NGO sector, and violations of students’ rights.
Her work has garnered her a reputation as a trusted voice on matters of governance, accountability, and social justice in Uganda. Her dedication to alleviating suffering for others – sometimes at great personal risk – has brought change to Ugandan institutions such as the Parliament, National Water Corporation, Kampala Capitol City Authority, the Ministry of Health, and the Law Development Centre to name a few.
As a team leader at AGORA – a platform to foster public discourse, social justice, and public accountability – her team continues to hold leaders accountable through evidence-based activism, reporting, and civic awareness.
Established in 2007, this annual award honours women from around the world who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in order to bring about positive change to their communities, often at great personal risk and sacrifice.
To date, under the IWOC program, the U.S. Department of State has recognized more than 190 women in 90 countries. All awardees have advocated for the protection of human rights, advanced gender equity and equality, empowered women and girls, in all their diversity, and fostered peace and government transparency around the world.