Roundtable Discussion with Dr. Josephine Obiajulu Odumakin
 

The prestigious Secretary of State’s Award for International Women of Courage annually recognizes women around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for women's rights and empowerment, often at great personal risk. Since the inception of this award in 2007, the Department of State has honored 38 women from 27 different countries. This is the only Department of State award that pays tribute to women activists worldwide.

On March 8, 2013 Dr. Josephine Obiajulu Odumakin, President, Campaign for Democracy will receive the International Women of Courage award “for exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in tirelessly advocating for human rights, social justice, and women’s equality and advancement in Nigeria.”

Please join IIE's Center for Women's Leadership Initiatives and the International Museum of Women in welcoming Dr. Josephine Odumakin to San Francisco, through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). We will hear from her during a roundtable discussion at the office of the International Museum of Women. 

Dr. Josephine Obiajulu Odumakin, President, Campaign for Democracy

Over the past twenty years, Dr. Josephine Odumakin has handled over 2,000 cases of violations of women’s rights, including cases of extrajudicial practices committed by government security agencies against women. These cases have included violations of women’s rights including extrajudicial killings of women by the police or their spouses, assault of women by law enforcement personnel for any pretext as well as deaths of children and women through negligence on the part of school or hospital authorities. Dr. Odumakin leads almost every protest, march, lecture or workshop aimed at encouraging the rule of law and governing justly and democratically. Her advocacy led her to be arrested and detained seventeen times during the dictatorship of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida’s regime. Dr. Odumakin is currently the Executive Director of the Institute of Human Rights and Democratic Studies; President of Women Arise for Change Initiative; Chairman, Task Force of the Citizen Forum; Spokesperson, Coalition of Civil Society Organizations; and President, Centre for Participatory Democracy.

Kindly R.S.V.P. by Monday, March 11, 2013. Refreshments and pastries will be provided during registration. Space is limited. 

Event Details
8:15-8:30am     Registration and refreshments
8:30-9:30am     Program