Bar Council president receives award from Hilary Clinton
This award has given us the opportunity, which we would not otherwise have had, to share our stories, our successes, our failures, to reach out across our borders and establish a base upon which we can build a meaningful network of support. “These stories must be told in all our countries.
– Ambiga Sreenivasan’s speech during the award.
Ms Ambiga accepts her International Women of Courage 2009 award from ex-first lady Hilary Clinton while current US first lady Michelle Obama stands beside her. A proud moment indeed especially when she is wearing traditional costume. First time I’m seeing a Malaysian wearing saree in an international event.
Clinton, in her speech, lauded Ambiga for pursuing judicial reform and good governance, standing up for religious tolerance, and resolutely advocating women’s equality and their full political participation.
On another note, I notice that other recipients of the award come from countries with human rights “issues” – Russia, Uzbekistan, Niger, Yemen, Guatemala, Iraq and Afghanistan. Looks like our country also lumped together with them.