AWIU was thrilled to announce the launch of the AWIU International Women of Courage Alumnae Impact Grant, our latest initiative supporting the mission of the IWOC program and AWIU’s commitment to global understanding through exchange and collaboration.
The new IWOC Alumnae Impact Grant will award up to five IWOC alumnae annually with grants of up to $5,000 to advance their work in human rights and women’s empowerment. Future efforts will include mentorship, training, and expanded networking.
Please join us in congratulating the 2025 IWOC Alumnae Impact Grantees!
Roya Sadat – 2018 IWOC from Afghanistan
Support for the production of a short film that reflects the current reality of Afghan women and girls under Taliban rule. Through a powerful and poetic narrative based on real experiences, the film aims to raise awareness of their struggles, preserve their voices, and highlight their resilience. Led by a team of Afghan women in exile, the project empowers female creatives by placing them at the heart of storytelling, ensuring authenticity and representation. Photo by Farzana Wahidy.
Benafsha Yaqoobi – 2024 IWOC from Afghanistan
Support for a documentary to chronicle and amplify the lived experiences of women and girls with disabilities in Afghanistan in accessing education under Taliban rule, thereby advancing disability-inclusive advocacy and influencing national and international stakeholders. Objectives: To produce a high-quality documentary capturing testimonies of women with disabilities facing educational barriers post-Taliban takeover; to raise awareness among national and international audiences on the urgent need for inclusive education policies in Afghanistan; to leverage the documentary as a tool for advocacy and policy dialogue in disability and human rights forums globally.
Fatou Baldeh – 2024 IWOC from the Gambia
Support for a project to end FGM within Gambian Society. The objectives are: 1. To empower young women and young men between the ages of 18 to 24 with knowledge and understanding on gender, social norms and harmful traditional practices, and how they affect communities. 2. To create platforms and safe spaces to build the skills, knowledge and agency of boys and girls to lead and influence change around the practice of FGM and other forms of gender-based violence within their communities. 3. To use survivor voices to enhance collective action against the practice of FGM. The project will organize safe spaces for girls, Ataya chats for boys, and intergeneration dialogues for both men and women to come together to have meaningful conversations and learning, focused on specific communities in The Gambia with high rates of FGM.
Facia Harris – 2022 IWOC from Liberia
Support for the Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) in Schools projects to increase awareness and understanding of SGBV and SEA among girls and young women within three senior high schools targeting one hundred fifty persons. Objective 1: Develop and implement training programs for school staff on SGBV and SEA prevention strategies and educate students on their rights and the importance of reporting SGBV and SEA incidents. Objective 2: Create confidential reporting mechanisms for girls and young women students to report incidents of SGBV and SEA, and provide linkage to psychological support and counseling services for student survivors of SGBV and SEA. Objective 3: Engage parents and community members in discussions about SGBV and SEA prevention.
Arbana Xharra – 2015 IWOC from Kosovo
Support for creation of the Voices of Courage podcast which will focus on women from conflict zones and war-torn regions across the globe, sharing their powerful stories of survival, resilience, and the efforts they are making toward peace and justice. The podcast will amplify the voices of women who have lived through and contributed to the rebuilding of their societies after war, conflict, and political unrest. While the broader theme will focus on women’s experiences in conflict areas, one episode per month will feature interviews with International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award recipients, highlighting their work and dedication to human rights and gender equality in some of the most difficult environments. These episodes will provide listeners with firsthand accounts of courage and perseverance, shedding light on their challenges. Women from conflict zones and war-torn regions across the globe will have their voices heard, their experiences amplified, and their efforts toward peace and justice recognized through a widely accessible podcast platform.
Quynh Nguyen (Me Nam) – 2017 IWOC from Vietnam
Support to strengthen her human rights advocacy by improving the quality and reach of current YouTube channel, which shares stories of political prisoners, women’s rights defenders, and social issues in Vietnam and beyond. Objectives: 1. To purchase essential technology equipment to produce higher-quality video content. 2. To increase engagement and visibility by creating more professional, accessible videos in both English and Vietnamese. 3. To share educational and personal storytelling content to raise awareness about freedom of expression, women’s voices, and human rights challenges. 4. To build a sustainable media platform that empowers others to speak out and connect with international audiences. This project will directly support ongoing work by expanding its impact and reaching more viewers who need to hear these stories.
