In a bid to recognize and honour women journalists who distinguish themselves by extraordinary bravery and raise the bar of reporting by facing and surviving danger to uncover the truth, the International Women’s Media Foundation is accepting nominations for the Courage in Journalism Awards for women journalists.

Nominations are also being accepted for Lifetime Achievement Awards which recognize and honour pioneers who kicked down barriers to help women all over the world find their voices and make them heard across the world, thereby opening doors for future generations to make a difference.

Commenting on the awards, Cable News Network, CNN, senior correspondent, Christiane Amanpour, who is a member of board of the IWMF said that the stakes are different for those who are journalists outside the US- without the benefit of the First Amendment to protect them.

“One thing for all of us who are based in the US, who have the First Amendment to protect us – yes, it’s dangerous when we go overseas but we can leave. The women that we honor with this Award don’t have that luxury. We see them as heroes but they are certainly not heroes in their own countries, nor do they aspire to be heroes in their own countries,” she said.

The IWMF is a network of thousands of women journalists working internationally to elevate the status of women in the media by creating ground breaking programs to help women in the media develop practical solutions to the obstacles they face in their career and lives.

The Foundation also advocates for an international free press, often writing petitions asking governments to release journalists in captivity and offering protection to journalists in danger.

To nominate a journalist of your choice, visit: http://www.iwmf.org/our-impact/courage-in-journalism-awards/nomination/