John Kerry awards Kurdish Ezidi woman

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – A Kurdish Yezidi (Ezidi) woman, Nagham Newzad, received the 2016 International Women of Courage Award on March 29.

The US Secretay of State John Kerry presented the award to a group of extraordinary women from around the world, including Kurdistan.

Newzad is a Ezidi women's rights advocate and gynecologist and was among the group of women honored with this years' award. According to the US Department of State, she has dedicated her career to promoting gender equality, combatting gender-based violence, and providing psychological support to survivors.

Kerry reserved praise for Newzad during the ceremony. "[She] has spent the last 15 years promoting equality for women and providing psychological help to victims of gender-based abuse," he said.