Afghan-Iranian Taekwondo athlete and advocate for women’s rights in Afghanistan, Marzieh Hamidi, recieved the International Women’s Rights Award at the 18th annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy. Click here to view the presentation of the award by Sophia Aram.
18th Annual Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, U.N. Opening, Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Key Quotes:
“They crossed borders to silence me.They sent rape threats and death threats. Not because I carried a weapon, but because I spoke.”
“Today, I live under police protection not because I chose violence, but because I refused silence.”
“I accept this award as responsibility. I dedicate it to the women of Afghanistan and Iran, who are being erased for refusing control over their bodies.”
“Different regimes. Same ideology. Do not ask us to coexist with terrorists. Do not ask us to compromise with gender apartheid. We are not asking for inclusion. We are demanding liberation. And liberation has never been polite.”
