Pakistani Women’s right activist wins Atlantic Council Digital Freedom Award

Women’s right activist, Nighat Dad, has become the second Pakistani ever to receive the prestigious Atlantic Council Digital Freedom Award for 2016.

A Pakistani lawyer and internet activist, Nighat Dad is also the Executive Director of a non-profit organization, Digital Rights Foundation, Pakistan. In a ceremony at the Global Forum in Wroclaw, Poland, on Friday, she was honored with the Atlantic Council Digital Freedom Award for her efforts and dedication towards digital rights and ensuring a safer and more accessible Pakistan for women. The award recognizes extraordinary individuals and organizations that defend and advance the cause of freedom around the world.

After Malala Yousafzai, she has now become the second Pakistani to have received the award.

Nighat Dad has been an active member in the fight for digital rights for the people of Pakistan. Her organization, Digital Rights Foundation, wants to secure freedom of expression and the right to privacy for all women, minorities, and dissidents of Pakistan. It also aims to educates Pakistanis, particularly young women, about how to respond to online harassment and has arranged workshops all over the country.

“Over the past quarter century, we have borne witness to rising social tensions and economic uncertainty,” said Nighat Dad while attending the event. “Global conflicts that cause millions of refugees to flee those same conflicts, for a better life for their children. Religious extremists and the far right are on the rise, exploiting the fear and insecurity of many. Ours is an unstable world.”

This exceptional woman also hit the headlines last year for being featured as the TIME’s next generation leader. Currently, she is working to block the passing of Pakistan’s upcoming Cyber Crime Bill, deemed controversial and even “draconian” by many security and privacy experts.