"Vijesti" journalist Olivera Lakić was presented with the International Women of Courage Award by the US State Department at a ceremony at the headquarters of the State Department in Washington today.
Olivera Lakić was presented with the award by US First Lady Melania Trump and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
As announced, Lakić received the award for her dedication to investigative journalism and exposing corruption and organized crime, despite the attacks on her and the threats directed at her and her family members.
Melania Trump said that the women awarded today are a symbol of courage and a role model for future generations.
Courage, as she said, is a virtue that is most needed in today's society.
"Courage separates those who just talk about change from those who actually take action," she said.
That courage, Trump points out, is the ability to put others before yourself.
"It is my honor to recognize women today who have achieved incredible success. I am grateful to them for their work," said the First Lady of the USA.
The Brave Woman Award is given to women from all over the world who, despite great personal risk, are an example of outstanding courage and leadership in the promotion of human rights, women's equality and social progress.
Lakić is the only female journalist and one of two European women who were awarded this year.
Women from Ireland, Bangladesh, Burma, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Peru, Sri Lanka and Tanzania were also awarded.
Along with Olivera Lakić, among the brave women of the world there were also lawyer and fighter for the human rights of the Rohingya population Razia Sultana from Bangladesh, peace activist and fighter for the rights of minority communities in Burma Nav K'njav Pav, policewoman Mumina Husein Darar from Djibouti who deals with the fight against terrorism, humanitarian worker Mama Magi from Egypt who is dedicated to working with children and families in the slums, Colonel Kalida Kalaf Hana al-Twal from Jordan, who has been dealing with the refugee issue for years m in that country, the missionary Orla Trisi from Ireland who is dedicated to the education of girls and girls in South Sudan, and the national coordinator for prosecutors in the field of environmental protection in Peru Flor de Maria Vega Zapata, Marina de Livera from Sri Lanka, the founder of the non-governmental organization "Sisters in Law" which fights for the rights of women and children victims of crime and Tanzanian human rights activist Ana Alojs Henga.
The brave woman award to Olivera and the other winners indirectly points to the dangerous environment in which they try to do their job professionally.
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