Fátima Corozo is a community leader, recognized for her work to protect youth from violence in Esmeraldas, through educational development programs.
Esmeralda professor Fátima Corozo was awarded the Women of Courage award, given by the Secretary of State of the United States, for her work with youth in one of the most violent areas of the country.
The recognition was delivered on Monday, March 4, 2024 and was led by Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. The first lady of the United States, Jill Biden, also attended the event, who met with Lavinia Valbonesi last week.
The Women of Courage award recognizes women from around the world who have demonstrated “exceptional courage, strength and leadership in promoting peace, justice, human rights, gender equality and equity, and women’s empowerment.” and girls”, according to information from the United States Embassy in Ecuador.
The Ecuadorian teacher received the award “for her outstanding work to protect youth from violence in Esmeraldas through educational development programs and new teaching communities in this area of the country,” the Embassy detailed.
Who is Fatima Corozo?
Fátima Corozo was born on Luis Vargas Torres Island, one of the most violent enclaves in Esmeraldas, and is a strong defender and protector of the city’s youth.
During her career as an educator, youth advocate, and president of her community association, Corozo has continually raised her voice in defense of youth.
He has even put his life at risk while implementing youth development programs that offer safe alternatives to young people in Esmeraldas.
Corozo has also established strong networks of educators and promoters who have directly provided hundreds of Afro-Ecuadorian youth with safe spaces.
In these spaces, they can develop their skills and interests, thus distancing them from unprecedented violence and putting them on the path to becoming healthy and productive citizens.
Women from Cuba and Nicaragua are also awarded
In addition to the Ecuadorian professor, the Courage Award was also awarded to a Cuban political dissident, Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello, who has been a leader in the defense of human rights and religious freedom in Cuba for more than four decades.
The United States also recognized the nine women who were among the 222 Nicaraguan political prisoners released from prison in February 2023.
All of them were exiled to the United States and stripped of their Nicaraguan citizenship, which made them stateless.
