Jessikka Aro is a Finnish journalist working for Finland's public service broadcaster Yle and an author of a non-fiction book Putin's Trolls. In September 2014, she began to investigate pro-Russian Internet trolls, but became a victim of their activities herself. This harassment led to three people being convicted in October 2018.
In 2019 she was notified that she was to receive an International Women of Courage Award from the U.S. Department of State but this was rescinded just before the ceremony.
Jessikka Aro in 2017
International Women of Courage Award
The International Women of Courage Award, also referred to as the U.S. Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Award, is an American award presented annually by the United States Department of State to women around the world who have shown leadership, courage, resourcefulness, and willingness to sacrifice for others, especially in promoting women's rights.
International Women of Courage Award
2012 International Women of Courage Awards, March 8, 2012. Back row, from left: Melanne Verveer (guest), Leymah Gbowee (guest), Shad Begum, Aneesa Ahmed, Hawa Abdallah Mohammed Salih, Samar Badawi, Tawakel Karman (guest). Front row, from left: Maryam Durani, Pricilla de Oliveira Azevedo, Zin Mar Aung, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Jineth Bedoya Lima, Hana Elhebshi, Şafak Pavey
(nine of the ten) 2018 International Women of Courage Awardees. 1.Julissa Villanueva 2.Sirikan Charoensiri 3.Godelive Mukasarasi, 4. Aliyah Khalaf Saleh, 5. Feride Rushiti, 6. L’Malouma Said, 7. Aiman Umarova, 8 Roya Sadat, 9.Maria Elena Berini
2019 International Women of Courage Awardees.
