Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has honoured Dr Begum Jan, a Pakistani woman, with the International Women of Courage Award.

Dr. Begum Jan is the Chairperson of the Tribal Women Welfare Association; an NGO that works for the women empowerment in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas
(FATA).

U. S. State Department said Rice and Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky presented the awards to mark International Women’s Day.

This is the second year for the annual International Women of Courage Award. Eight women from all over the world have received this award for displaying exceptional courage and leadership in promoting women’s rights and their advancement.

The other awardees are from Afghanistan, Fiji, Iraq, Kosovo, the Palestinian Authority, Paraguay, Somalia and Pakistan.

The Daily Times said winners were chosen from over 95 exceptional women of courage nominated by US embassies worldwide for their diverse contributions to freedom, justice, peace, and equality.