(Photo Courtesy WOZA)

Leaders of the pressure group, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), on Monday took their message of peace to the White House in the United States, where they were presented with a prestigious human rights award by US President Barack Obama.

Award winner Magodonga Mahlangu and WOZA co-founder Jenni Williams, both travelled to Washington DC to receive the 2009 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights award. Williams accepted the award on behalf of WOZA while Mahlangu was singled out in her personal capacity as a rights activist.

Speaking from Washington before the ceremony on Monday night, Mahlangu told SW Radio Africa she is proud of what the group has achieved. She explained the award recognises not just her and WOZA's fight for freedom in Zimbabwe, but also all human rights defenders who have fought for democracy in the country.

"It is an honour, after fighting for so long, that we are all being recognised in such a way," Mahlangu said.

Mahlangu and Williams have both been in the US for two weeks, raising awareness of the true state of the Zimbabwe situation, which has changed very little since the formation of the so-called unity government in February. Mahlangu explained that the truth of Zimbabwe's reality is being obscured by the country's politics, saying the real people are still fighting for peace and democracy.

Mahlangu and Williams both coordinate WOZA's protests, known internationally for being peaceful, yet relentless actions. Tens of thousands of women have joined WOZA in standing up for human rights and speaking out about Zimbabwe's worsening economic, social and political conditions. Since its founding in December 2002, WOZA has staged more than 100 non-violent marches in support of democratic reform and women's empowerment. As a result, WOZA has often been the target of severe police brutality, with Mahlangu and Williams as well as thousands of other WOZA supporters, being arrested many times for their participation.

The pair has been arrested over 30 times in the course of their work as human rights defenders, and has faced extreme harassment and cruelty by state security agents for speaking out against the Mugabe regime. They have led campaigns with WOZA supporters to address many of the most crucial human rights issues facing Zimbabwean women, including domestic violence and rape, the rights to food and education for children, and the rights to participation and association.