Since the Taliban’s takeover, this year’s recipient of the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation’s Award for Courage has been tirelessly working under the most difficult conditions for the education of women and girls in Afghanistan. With a secret network of schools for girls, she stands up against the fundamentalist and misogynistic regime, risking her own life. Therefore, on November 28, 2023, the Award for Courage had to be presented anonymously and in the absence of the laureate. The award honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to democracy and freedom and is presented in collaboration with the Deutsche Postcode Lotterie. The award ceremony took place in the Journalists’ Club at the Axel Springer building in Berlin. Among the guests were numerous international experts on democracy and human rights, as well as high-ranking representatives from business and politics.
