Anna Henga to receive 2019 International Women of Courage Award

March 6, 2019 Dar es Salaam

Anna Henga, a renowned Tanzanian human rights activist and the Executive Director of the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) has been named one of 10 recipients of 2019 International Women of Courage Award.

According to the statement on the U.S Department of State’s website, on Thursday, March 7, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo will host the Annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Awards at the U.S. Department of State to honor 10 extraordinary women from around the world. First Lady of the United States Melania Trump will deliver special remarks at the ceremony. 

Anna receives the accolade following her outstanding efforts in advocating for human rights in Tanzania as well as her influential role in publicly voicing concern over the direction of democratic governance through adverse legislative and constitutional actions in the country. Other honorees are from Bangladesh, Burma, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Ireland, Montenegro, Peru and Sri Lanka. 

The award ceremony will be open to the press from 10:00 a.m. (18:00 hrs in Dar es Salaam) and streamed live on www.state.gov. Follow @StateDept and @humanrightstz during the event for updates and live tweets with #WomenofCourage.

Established in 2007, this annual award honors women around the world who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in acting to bring positive change to their societies, often at great personal risk and sacrifice. To date, under the IWOC program, the U.S. Department of State has recognized over 120 women from more than 65 countries. All awardees advocated for the protection of human rights, promoted the advancement of the status of women, and fostered peace and government transparency around the world.

For inquiries please contact 

Michael Mallya - Public Relations and Communications Officer 

Legal and Human Rights Centre

Email: mallya@humanrights.or.tz 

Mobile: +255789147255