Afghan woman to receive major courage award

Col. Shafiqa Quraishi

On International Women’s Day, March 8th, Col. Shafiqa Quraishi will be in Washington, D.C. to receive the U.S. State Department 2010 International Women of Courage Award. Col. Quraishi will be one of ten award recipients from nominees submitted by 72 countries. The award will be given to her by the U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. Col. Quraishi was chosen “for her bravery and willingness to overcome cultural obstacles to achieve her position in Afghanistan,” according to a NATO press release. Co. Quraishi is the chief of the Gender and Human Rights Division in the Afghan National Police.

Co. Quraishi today attended an event dedicated to women hosted by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior. The event attendees celebrated International Women’s Day, and honored the women serving in their ranks. The Ministry also inaugurated a Gender Complaints Registration Office. According to the Ministry, the office will give the women working in the Ministry the ability to file complaints of discrimination. Currently, there are over 900 women working in the Ministry of Interior and plans are underway to hire more.

March 4, 2010 · admin · One Comment
Posted in: Women's Rights