By Karen Mulhauser, former UNA-NCA President, and Luciana Vosniak, UNA-NCA Human Rights Committee Chair
We are thrilled to announce Megan Corrado as the recipient of the 2024 Perdita Huston Human Rights Award. As the Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP), Megan's influence extends far beyond her title. Her impressive career includes roles such as Director of Advocacy at Women for Afghan Women, an attorney at Cohen, Milstein, Sellers, and Toll, and Counsel and Program Director at the Public International Law and Policy Group. She has also served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the British House of Commons. Leadership positions such as Co-Chair of the U.S. Civil Society Working Group on Women, Peace, and Security at USIP, and Chair of the Prevention and Protection Working Group, and Co-Chair of the Global Fragility Act Coalition, highlight her dedication to peace and gender equality.
Megan's passion lies in advancing human rights, the women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda, and justice and accountability. Recognizing gender disparity early on, Megan was determined to work toward equality for all. She leveraged her international law background to focus on peace processes and conflict transitions after law school. Her inspiration stems from working with local women in conflict-affected contexts around the world, such Afghan women enduring life under Taliban rule, Yemeni women demanding peace after decades of war, and Sudanese women delivering direly needed protection and services in the face of widespread atrocities. Megan stands in awe of their strength and resilience. She also acknowledges the myriad of incredible women in human rights roles in DC that amplify the voices of those grappling with conflict and crisis as “tireless champions” in the fight for gender equality.
Megan views the UN Charter as foundational, seeing the UN as a critical space for resolving conflict and addressing issues like inequality, climate change, and human rights. She emphasizes the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on WPS. Approaching its 25th anniversary, this resolution remains a key tool for gender equity, and Megan's current work with AfP and the U.S. Civil Society Working Group on WPS urging the U.S. Government and international community to heed the lessons of the past and center women in all peace and political processes in Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen, and beyond, highlights her commitment to its goals. However, she recognizes that such efforts will not come to fruition without resources. She continues to spearhead collective advocacy with Congress and other international donors, calling on them to provide robust funding to realize the aims of UNSCR 1325 and the WPS Agenda.
Believing in an intergenerational approach to human rights and gender equality, Megan values the wisdom of past advocates while mentoring the next generation. As an adjunct professor at George Washington University, she enjoys guiding future leaders in human rights, women’s rights, and international law.
Looking ahead, Megan is excited to increase funding and political buy-in for WPS and advance a new WPS Act, laying its groundwork alongside a dedicated network of advocates. Her aim is to ensure women have a seat at every decision-making table. She remains committed to integrating WPS and gender equality in the implementation of other key laws and policies seeking to prevent and resolve conflict and atrocities, such as the Global Fragility Act and Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act.
Megan Corrado and Perdita Huston share values of collaboration and community work in achieving human rights goals. We honor Megan's extraordinary contributions and are proud to celebrate her achievements with this award.
