The founder and the director of Digital Rights Foundation, Nighat Dad has been selected for the Dutch government’s Human Rights Tulip award 2016. These awards take place every year where individuals as well as organizations from all over the world are recognized for their diligent efforts to promote the human rights in an innovative manner.
Nominees and the awards
Tulip award is envisioned to support human rights defenders and organizations, broadcast their efforts and inspire others.
The 10 nominees are:
1. Mwatana Organization For Human Rights (Yemen)
2. Mr Pierre Claver Mbonimpa (Burundi)
3. Ms Nighat Dad (Pakistan)
4. Nadim Center (Egypt)
5. Centro de Derechos Humanos de las Mujeres (Mexico)
6. Native community of Santa Clara de Uchunya (Peru)
7. Centro Prodh (Mexico)
8. Mr Nguyễn Quang A (Vietnam)
9. Ms Nahid Gabralla (Sudan)
10. Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE) (Lebanon)
The award is offered by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ‘pioneering human rights defenders.’ The winner will be presented a prize worth €100,000 ($111000).
Out of the 10 candidates, top 3 nominees will be selected through public voting. Foreign Minister of Netherlands Bert Koenders will select the eventual winner. He will present the award to the winner along with a bronze tulip-shaped statue on International Human Rights Day on 10th December 2016.
About Nighat Dad and her Foundation
Nighat Dad is a lawyer, digital activist, researcher and an independent development consultant. She is known for supporting online safety and access to the internet in Pakistan and across the world.
Digital Rights Foundation was founded in 2012. The non-profit organization is intended to teach and promote digital rights, particularly for women. Primarily, it educates the women on how to respond to online harassment.
In addition, the organization also battles against regulation giving government bodies’ extensive powers of investigation online. Nighat Dad stated:
“We tell Internet users how to adjust their privacy settings, to make sure they have secure connections, change their passwords regularly and not to share unnecessary information”
Moreover, she also added:
“Women should come seek help if they are targeted and not feel ashamed”
This is not the first time Nighat is nominated for an award. She was awarded the Atlantic Council Digital Freedom Award 2016 for advancing and defending the cause of freedom. Furthermore, she was also among six ‘next generation leaders’ named by TIME Magazine last year.
You can cast your vote for Nighat Dad by clicking here. Voting ends on 7th September 2016.
Image Source: netzpolitik.org
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