Awarded to all women involved in the July revolt by the US State Department’s ‘International Women of Courage’ program, Umama Fatema, spokesperson for Students Against Discrimination, has declined the honor.
Umama Fatema made her choice to renounce the prize public last night (March 29) via a Facebook post. “In recognition of their contributions to the July uprising, female activists have been nominated for special recognition through the US State Department’s ‘International Women of Courage’ Award 2025,” she said. This appreciation has led to the ‘Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award’ being given to all of the women who have been part of the movement. In her article, she also referenced the awarding authority’s official statement.
She also stated that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady Melania Trump will give the honors at the ceremony on April 1. “Collective recognition of women activists is highly honorable for us,” Umama Fatema said, elaborating on her reasons for declining the medal.
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However, in October 2023, Israel launched a vicious attack on Palestine, which was openly supported by this prize. This compromises the award’s neutrality by defending Israel’s attack while disregarding Palestine’s fight for freedom. Basic human rights, such as the right to land, have long been denied to the Palestinian people. My personal rejection of this award is in support of Palestine’s fight for independence.
A brave group of women who played a vital role in the student protest movement against violent repression in Bangladesh in July and August of 2024 will get the Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award. They showed outstanding bravery, including separating male protestors from security personnel despite threats and violence, according to the US State Department.
