Myanmar lawyer wins International Women of Courage Award

Myintzu Win, a lawyer who has long championed marginalised communities in Myanmar, was named one of this year’s recipients of the International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award on Monday. The award, given annually by the US State Department, recognises women across the world who courageously advocate for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls. Myintzu Win received her award on Monday alongside 11 other women leaders and one group at a ceremony held at the White House in Washington, D.C. and attended by US First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Other recipients were from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cuba, Ecuador, The Gambia, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Nicaragua, and Uganda. As a lawyer, Myintzu Win has defended more than 500 clients—often pro bono—focussing on women, children, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQI+ community to safeguard their basic rights. She has served as a legal advisor to the Rome-based International Development Law Organization and worked to strengthen judicial capacity and empower legal professionals in Myanmar. Her main pursuit is the improvement of societal equity and legal fairness. As leader of a legal aid team founded in 2017, she collaborates with other lawyers to assist those in need of legal advice and representation and gives training to law students aimed at promoting awareness of the importance of rule of law. The State Department has recognised more than 190 women from 90 countries since the inception of the IWOC Award in 2007. Since the military seized power in February 2021, Myanmar has seen a dramatic reversal of legal reforms begun under the civilian government led by the ousted National League for Democracy. Under the current regime, protection of fundamental rights has plummeted, resulting in rampant rights abuses as the military seeks to cement its hold on power through oppressive measures such as unlawful arrest and denial of due process.

Myanmar lawyer wins International Women of Courage Award

Myintzu Win is one of 13 recipients of this year’s award, which is given annually by the US State Department

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