Founder and President of Afghan Refugees Solidarity Association, MD. Zakira Hekmat, was invited to the event held at the residence of the Turkish Embassy in Washington, DC, on the occasion of March 8, International Women's Day due to the fact that she was awarded the 2023 International Women of Courage Award. Hekmat gave the opening speech at the event. In her speech, she talked about her earlier life in Afghanistan, the story of her arrival in Turkey, her motivation to establish the Afghan Refugees Solidarity Association and the advocacy activities that she has been doing. "I am proud to represent the flags of both countries," she stated in her speech.