Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj, the leading figure of the Association of Abductees’ Mothers in Yemen, has been named a recipient of the 2025 International Women of Courage Award, as announced by the U.S. Department of State on Friday. Al-Hajj is the sole Arab laureate among the eight women recognized globally in the award's 19th edition.
 
A State Department spokesperson, in a statement released to Barran Press, lauded Al-Hajj's critical role in amplifying the voices of thousands of Yemeni detainees and their families. "Al-Hajj has consistently served as a powerful advocate, meticulously documenting human rights abuses perpetrated by all parties involved in the Yemeni conflict, including the Iran-backed Houthis. Her access to information, often beyond the reach of international mediators, has been instrumental," the spokesperson stated.
The Department's statement further emphasized, "Her unwavering courage and dedication serve as an inspiration to human rights defenders worldwide, offering a beacon of hope amidst profound adversity."

This year's honorees also include activists from Israel, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Romania, South Sudan, and Sri Lanka. Al-Hajj's recognition underscores her exceptional contribution to documenting conflict-related violations in Yemen.
Additionally, the State Department will present the Madeleine Albright Honorary Award to leaders of the student protests in Bangladesh, which occurred in July and August 2024. The awards ceremony is scheduled for April 1, 2025, at the State Department headquarters in Washington, D.C., and is expected to be presided over by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Since its establishment in 2007, the International Women of Courage Award has celebrated the extraordinary courage, strength, and leadership of over 200 women from more than 90 countries.