The head of the Association of Mothers of Abductees in Yemen wins the Women of Courage Award presented by the US State Department.

The head of the Association of Mothers of Abductees, human rights activist Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj, won the International Women of Courage Award, presented annually by the US State Department.

According to a statement from the association, the award, given by the US State Department to women who demonstrate courage and leadership in advocating for human rights, peace, justice, women's empowerment, and equality, comes "in recognition of her tremendous efforts in defending the abducted, forcibly disappeared, and detained throughout the years of war in Yemen, and in empowering women."

In a statement announcing the award winners on Friday, the US State Department said that Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj, founder and president of the Abductees' Mothers Association, was honored for her powerful voice in drawing international attention to the plight of thousands of Yemeni detainees and their families.

"Through her organization's unique approach to mobilizing families and demanding accountability for violations committed by all parties to the conflict, Ms. Al-Hajj has played a pivotal role in documenting the abductions of more than 9,500 people and securing the release of 950 forcibly disappeared persons," she added.

She explained that Al-Hajj was honored for her courage and dedication in documenting violations and pressing for the release of abductees, stressing that "Al-Hajj's courage and dedication continue to inspire human rights defenders around the world, making her a beacon of hope in the face of adversity."

In her first comment after winning the award, Al-Hajj dedicated the prize to “every mother who has suffered, endured, and endured the loss of her son, continuing her struggle for his freedom.” She also dedicated it to the activists in the Abductees’ Mothers Association, to my esteemed family, and to all the patient Yemenis.

O Allah, all praise and thanks are due to You.
I thank everyone who shared this joy with me, which I dedicate to every mother who suffered, was in pain, and was patient over the loss of her son, and who continued her struggle for her son’s freedom.
I also dedicate this achievement to the female and male activists in the Abductees' Mothers Association, to my honorable family, and to all the patient Yemenis.
We ask God for relief

— Umma Al-Salam Al-Hajj (@salam_alhajj) March 29, 2025

Al-Hajj heads the Association of Mothers of Abductees, a Yemeni human rights organization formed by mothers, wives, and relatives of abductees and forcibly disappeared persons, as well as female activists working in the field of freedoms and human rights. The organization works to address the issues of abductees, arbitrarily detained persons, and forcibly disappeared persons in the country.