US honors ‘Iron Lady of Balochistan' Jalila Haider with International Women of Courage Award

• Haider who hails from Balochistan and belongs to the minority Hazara community, has been ranked 9th in the list of the women.

The United States has honored Pakistani human rights activist and lawyer Jalila Haider with the Annual International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award.

The US has honored 12 extraordinary women from around the world with the award. The First Lady of the US Melania Trump will deliver remarks to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of these women today.

According to statement by the United States Department of State, the award recognizes women around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice and human rights.

Haider who hails from Balochistan and belongs to the minority Hazara community, has been ranked 9th in the list of the women. The statement said that Haider known as the Iron Lady of Balochistan, specializes in defending women’s rights and provides free counseling and legal services to poverty-affected women.

She also led a peaceful hunger strike to recognize the right to life for the Hazara following a series of targeted attacks. "As Balochistan’s President of the Women Democratic Front and Balochistan’s branch of the Aurat (Woman’s) March, she fought against violence against women in public spaces, at work, and at home, the statement added.

Others on the list include women from China, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Syria,Zimbabwe and Yemen. Since the inception of this award in March 2007, the US has recognized 134 women from 73 countries.