The renowned author, activist and executive director of Musawah reveals her big plans for 2020 and what the UN award means to her
In 2018, Zainah Anwar was featured in the Annual Harvard Law’s International Women's Day Portrait Exhibit, one of 25 women nominated by the students, faculty and staff of Harvard Law School in recognition of their outstanding contributions in policy and law.
October of 2019 has since brought more accolades to this stalwart activist - from the United Nations Malaysia, no less.
For her contributions to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms category, Zainah was honoured with the United Nations Malaysia award, joining the ranks of prestigious former recipients like Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir.
The co-founder of ground-breaking women’s rights groups Sisters In Islam and Musawah, Zainah’s efforts have paved the way for Islamic feminism to flourish where it previously could not in Malaysia.
“The work that we do is a source of hope to many people in Malaysia and globally, to what it means to be Muslim in the 21st century,” says Zainah.
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“Receiving this award was heart-warming, not just for me personally, but for Sisters In Islam, given the endless challenges to our very existence.”
Clearly not the kind of lady to quit when the chips are down, Zainah’s go-getter attitude and infectious energy are an inspiration to many in Malaysia and abroad.
Below, we list 5 key lessons about grit and endurance from this outstanding female leader.