"That is also the message of Laxmi from India," said Higginbottom, noting "acid attacks are committed almost exclusively on women, particularly on young women".
"Many of the victims feel they have no choice but to withdraw from society or even commit suicide, and they're more common than you might realize, in part because it's such an easy weapon to get your hands on," she said.
Until recently, anyone could walk into a store and buy a litre of acid as cheaply and as easily as a bottle of window cleaner, Higginbottom said.
"But after her attack, Laxmi became a tireless campaigner against acid attacks," she said.
"Thanks to her hard work and tremendous diligence, Laxmi was successful in petitioning the Supreme Court to order the Indian government to regulate the sale of acid and to make prosecutions of acid attacks easier to pursue.
"And she continues to push for progress still today. For fearless advocacy on behalf of victims of acid attacks and for bringing hope to survivors of gender-based violence and disfigurement, we name Laxmi a Woman of Courage," Higginbottom said amid applause
Other recipients of this year's award were: Nasrin Oryakhil (Afghanistan), Roshika Deo (Fiji), Bishop Rusudan Gotsiridze (Georgia), Iris Yassmin Barrios Aguilar (Guatemala), Fatimata Toure (Mali), Maha Al Muneef (Saudi Arabia), Oinikhol Bobonazarova (Tajikistan), Ruslana Lyzhychko (Ukraine) and Beatrice Mtetwa (Zimbabwe).
The award annually recognizes women around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality and women's empowerment, often at great personal risk.
Since the inception of this award in 2007, the Department of State has honored 76 women from 49 countries.
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