Bosnian activist Ajna Jusic was one of the recipients of the International Women of Courage (IWOC) Awards in a ceremony at the White House on Monday, held under auspices of the Secretary of State Antony Blinken and First Lady Jill Biden. It was an honour to be there and represent Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jusic said after receiving the award.

“Ajna Jusic is a psychologist and a feminist from Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, who currently resides in Sarajevo. In 2018, she founded the Forgotten Children of War Association, the first Organisation in the Western Balkans to advocate for the social and legal visibility of children born of rape during war and against the associated social stigma,” said the description published by the US Embassy in Sarajevo, presenting this year's recipient from BiH.

“Following years of effort, in 2023, Ms jusic and her organisation advocated successfully for the passage of the first such law in the world, which grants special rights to children born through acts of wartime sexual violence. This law will help provide compensation to these marginalised individuals – who are now young adults – by providing increased social protection and countering years of stigmatisation,” it added.

The Secretary of State’s IWOC Award recognises women from around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equity and equality, and the empowerment of women and girls, in all their diversity – often at great personal risk and sacrifice.

Since March 2007, the Department of State has recognized more than 190 women from 90 countries with the IWOC Award. U.S. diplomatic missions overseas nominate one woman of courage from their respective host countries, and finalists are selected and approved by senior Department officials.

Speaking to media after receiving the recognition, Jusic said it was an honour to be an ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina and show it is possible to make positive changes there.

As for the award's significance, Jusic expressed hope it would motivate both the citizens and decision makers to continue efforts and to be aware that there still might be some children “whose voices have not been heard.”