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FORMER ZBC news anchor and now prominent human rights activist Jestina Mukoko was on Wednesday given the US State Department’s International Women of Courage Award.
Mukoko, who was last year acquitted of treason charges was presented the award alongside nine other women activists by US First Lady Michelle Obama in Washington.
US secretary of State Hillary Clinton also attended the event.
Obama recounted how Mukoko was hounded by Zimbabwean security forces for trying to expose rampant human rights violations.
“Jestina Mukoko of Zimbabwe was abducted from her home; she was tortured, she was interrogated for hours while forced to kneel on gravel — all for the simple act of speaking out about the government’s human rights abuses,” she said.
“Yet, she emerged unbroken. That is the thread that runs through all of our honourees’ stories — that ability to draw strength from suffering, the determination to not just advance their own lives, but the lives of others, as well.”
Clinton told the women, “We send a message to all governments that might not be thrilled that you’re here, that we will be watching them as well.”
Mukoko, Zimbabwe Peace Project director was abducted from her Norton home on December 3 2008.
She was detained at a secret location for almost a month where she was tortured and abused. The Supreme Court ruled that she could not be prosecuted because of the torture.
The US State Department gives the awards to women who have demonstrated exceptional courage in advancing women’s rights annually.
BY OUR STAFF
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