Chargé d'Affaires Honors Tanzanian Woman of Courage

Chargé d'Affaires Robert K. Scott bestowed the 2012 Tanzanian Woman of Courage award to Joaquine De-Mello for her efforts to promote equality, opportunity, and justice for Tanzanian women and girls. Joaquine De-Mello becomes the fifth recipient of the Tanzanian Woman of Courage Award since the U.S. Embassy began this recognition. The ceremony was held on March 29 at the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam.

During a ceremony held at the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam on March 29, Chargé d'Affaires Robert K. Scott bestowed the 2012 Tanzanian Woman of Courage award on Joaquine De-Mello for her efforts to promote equality, opportunity, and justice for Tanzanian women and girls. Joaquine De-Mello becomes the fifth recipient of the Tanzanian Woman of Courage Award since the U.S. Embassy began this recognition.

Ms. De-Mello is a Tanzanian Woman of Courage whose work promotes women's rights in Tanzania. She has been involved in public service throughout her career and has particularly served Tanzania's women and children.

A lawyer by profession who also holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration, she has served as Commissioner for the National Human Rights Institution (CHRAGG) since 2008. This is a Presidential appointment with a mandate to promote and protect human rights in Tanzania.

Ms. De-Mello has exhibited great courage in conveying the message that women's rights in Tanzania must be observed and promoted by all citizens. Ms. De-Mello believes that public apathy, discrimination, and oppressive traditions such as female genital mutilation, contribute to violations and abuses against women and children. Her work has raised a public discourse on these sensitive subjects, and challenged the public to defend women's rights.

As he honored Ms. De-Mello with the 2012 "Tanzanian Woman of Courage" award ceremony at the U.S. Embassy, Chargé d'Affaires Scott lauded her efforts noting:

"Ms. De-Mello's passion for the law led her to a life devoted and dedicated to promoting women's access to justice. Her work has given Tanzanian women a voice and self confidence to work towards meeting their highest potential."

In her remarks, Joaquine De-Mello thanked the U.S. Embassy for the recognition, and underscored the responsibility of all Tanzanians to promote women's rights. "The only real satisfaction there is, is to be maturing up inwardly all the time, becoming just, true, generous, simple, courageous, womanly, kind, and active," she said.

To mark International Women's Day, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice established the annual International Women of Courage Award in March of 2007 to recognize women around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for women's rights and advancement.

Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton has honored International Women of Courage in Washington, D.C. since 2009, most recently on March 8, 2008 at an awards ceremony attended by special guest First Lady Michelle Obama. This is the only U.S. Department of State award that pays tribute to emerging women leaders worldwide, and offers a unique opportunity to recognize those who work in the field of international women's issues.

Since 2008, U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam has recognized a Tanzanian Woman of Courage for their efforts to promote women's rights. Previous recipients include Maimuna Kanyamala, Executive Director and founder of Kivulini Women's Rights Organization in Mwanza (2011); Ananilea Nkya, Executive Director of the Tanzanian Women Association (2010); Anne Kilango Malecela, Member of Parliament for Same East Constituency, Kilimanjaro Region (2009); and Helen Kijo-Bisimba, Executive Director of the Legal and Human Rights Center ( 2008).