New York City — On International Women’s Day, three extraordinary women from Nigeria, Brazil and the United States, as well as one man who has been a leading advocate for women’s rights in Afghanistan, were named recipients of the 2004 Reebok Human Rights Award. The announcement was made at the United Nations to commemorate women’s struggle for equality, justice, peace and development.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony on May 5, 2004, at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, in New York City.

The Reebok Human Rights Award recipients are:

• Yinka Jegede-Ekpe (25), a Nigerian diagnosed with HIV at age 19, bravely stepped forward to combat stigmatization and became one of her country's most visible AIDS activists. She raises awareness, advocates for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS and focuses attention on the special needs of women living with the virus;

• Vanita Gupta (29), a New York City attorney successfully orchestrated an extraordinary campaign to fight racism in the justice system by spearheading the legal battle to win the release and pardon of 35 African Americans falsely accused and convicted of drug-related crimes in Texas;

• Joênia Batista de Carvalho (30), a Wapixana woman and Brazil’s first female indigenous lawyer, fights for her people’s rights to their ancestral lands against the encroachment of outside commercial, farming and hunting interests. She also defends the victims of human rights violations and advocates for and educates her people.

• Nader Nadery (28), an Afghan human rights activist, has endured imprisonment and beatings under three repressive regimes. He is now a leading member of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, working to address the heritage of violence and build a human rights culture in his country.

Established in 1988, the Reebok Human Rights Award honors activists 30 years old or younger who, often at great personal risk, have made significant contributions to the field of human rights through nonviolent means. Since 1988, 76 recipients from 35 countries have been selected. The award attempts to focus international attention on the role of human rights defenders and the challenges they face. A $50,000 grant from the Reebok Human Rights Foundation provides direct support to help these young frontline activists continue their work.

Recipients also gain the opportunity to participate in Forefront, an independent NGO formed by the network of Reebok Human Rights Award recipients who help each other respond to crises, communicate with the international community, gain skills and resources, and share strategies.

For more information about the Reebok Human Rights Award or about the recipients, please visit www.reebok.com/humanrights.

Reebok International Ltd.

Reebok International Ltd.

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