Papua New Guinean Activist, Veronica Simogun, has received the American Women of Courage Award for her stance and roles in addressing gender based violence in Papua New Guinea.
Veronica was nominated among hundreds of other women in the Pacific Region, including Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.
Veronica Simogun was honoured as the East Asia and Pacific Awardee for the 2017 U.S Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award.
She was the recipient of this award in recognition of her work as an advocate for women and children who have been victims of violence.
Veronica is the founder of the Family for Change Association based in Wewak, East Sepik Province. This association addresses Gender Based Violence in the province.
U.S Ambassador Catherine Ebert-Gray, speaking to EMTV News, said she was thrilled to honour Veronica as the 2017 nominee for the International Women of Courage Award for Papua New Guinea.
The U.S Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award honours women around the globe who have showed exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for human’s rights, women’s equality and social progress.
She was in Washington DC for the official awards presentation ceremony as part of the state’s department’s observance of International’s Women’s Day in March.
