Islamabad, Pakistan – 29 October, 2024
Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), in collaboration with the National Assembly of Pakistan, recognized Ms. Hina Jilani from Pakistan and Honorable Fawzia Koofi from Afghanistan as recipients of the prestigious 2024 Defender of Democracy Award. This international recognition highlights their unwavering commitment to human rights, justice, sustainable peace, equality and democracy in their countries.
The Defender of Democracy Awards were conferred in a high-level ceremony on 28 October 2024, hosted by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Honorable Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
These are two very brave women that we are honoring today and who have been fighting against all odds in their own countries. We honor them tonight for all that they have stood for, and all that they have struggled for. I hope that they become an inspiration for more young parliamentarians and those who are aspiring to be parliamentarians. Honorable Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan
Ms. Hina Jilani and Hon. Fawzia Koofi exemplify resilience and leadership in promoting justice and equality worldwide. Ms. Hina Jilani, a renowned lawyer and civil society activist, established the first all-women law firm and legal aid center in Pakistan in 1986. She has championed the rights of vulnerable communities and co-founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. As the UN's first Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders in 2000, she worked globally to strengthen protections for activists.
Her pioneering spirit has paved the way for countless others, breaking barriers for inspiring young women and establishing pathways where there were none
We not only celebrate her remarkable achievements but also reaffirm our collective commitment to the ideals she embodies. Her tireless efforts remind us that the fight for democracy and human rights is ongoing and requires unwavering resolve.
Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson of the PGA Pakistan National Group, while conferring the award to Ms. Jilani
Honorable Millie Odhiambo, Member of Parliament of Kenya and PGA Executive Committee Member, presented the award to Hon. Fawzia Koofi, a prominent Afghan politician. Hon. Koofi has dedicated her career to women’s rights, serving as the first female deputy speaker of the Afghan National Assembly. Despite threats from the Taliban, she continued her advocacy after fleeing Afghanistan, launching a global campaign in 2023 with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi to end gender apartheid in Iran and Afghanistan.
Honorable Koofi exemplifies the true essence of leadership, inspiring others to act and guiding humanity toward a more peaceful and inclusive future. All honorable delegates would agree with me that she is well deserving of the prize. Honorable Millie Odhiambo, Member of Parliament of Kenya and PGA Executive Committee Member
Together with our distinguished guests of parliamentarians and civil society leaders, we are proud to celebrate the extraordinary contributions of Ms. Jilani and Honorable Koofi to democracy, gender equality and human rights. Their leadership and tireless advocacy serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who seek to promote democratic values and human rights in their countries Mónica Adame, Secretary-General Parliamentarians for Global Action
About the 2024 Defender of Democracy Award Recipients
Hina Jilani (Pakistan)
A renowned lawyer and civil society activist, Hina Jilani has dedicated her life to fighting for human rights and democracy in Pakistan and around the world.
After qualifying as a lawyer, Hina Jilani established Pakistan’s first all-women law firm in 1980, followed by Pakistan’s first legal aid center in 1986. She has conducted many landmark cases setting new standards for human rights in Pakistan, with a particular focus on the rights of the most vulnerable sections of society, such as women, minorities, children, and prisoners – including political prisoners. She was appointed Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 1992.
Ms. Jilani was one of the founders of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Established in 1986, the Commission has branches throughout the country and is today the most important national body for the monitoring of rights violations.
In 2000, she became the first Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders, and for the next eight years worked to empower and protect rights defenders worldwide. During her tenure she identified common themes in the treatment of human rights defenders, including the culture of impunity; intimidation and lack of security; restrictions on freedom of assembly, expression, and association; and death threats against defenders who seek justice for past crimes.
In July 2013 she was elected to join the International Commission of Jurists. She has received a number of honors and awards, including the 2001 Millennium Peace Prize for Women, in recognition of her life-long contribution to peace-building and human rights.
Fawzia Koofi (Afghanistan)
Fawzia Koofi is a leading Afghan politician, an esteemed writer, and a fierce champion of women’s rights. She was the first female deputy speaker of the Afghan National Assembly, and one of the few women involved in the peace negotiation team, representing the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. As a human rights activist, she has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of women and girls, particularly regarding their access to education, peace, and democracy. Her work made her a target for the Taliban, and despite numerous assassination attempts, Ms. Koofi has remained resolute in her commitments, continuing to promote gender equality, human rights, and democracy.
When the Taliban took power in August 2021, Ms. Koofi found herself under house arrest in Kabul, her life threatened. She fled Afghanistan but has continued her advocacy work, amplifying Afghan voices on the global stage, working tirelessly for Afghan freedom and to keep Afghanistan at the top of the international agenda.
In 2023, she joined Shirin Ebadi, Iranian Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and together, they initiated a powerful global campaign to end gender apartheid in Iran and Afghanistan.
By mobilizing Afghan women activists and empowering them to make their voices heard, Ms. Koofi exemplifies the true essence of leadership: inspiring others to act and guiding humanity toward a more peaceful and inclusive future.
