U.S. to honour New Delhi gang rape victim with courage award

In this Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013 file photo, Indian women carry placards as they march to mourn the death of a gang rape victim in New Delhi, India. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin, File)

NEW DELHI -- A woman whose gang rape on a bus and death shocked India will be honoured by the U.S. government with an International Women of Courage award for 2013.

A State Department statement said that First lady Michelle Obama will join Secretary of State John Kerry in honouring 10 women in Washington on March 8. The others include Malalai Bahaduri from Afghanistan, Julieta Castellanos from Honduras and Tibetan author Tsering Woeser from China.

Gaurav Pandey, a brother of the 23-year-old Indian victim, says he is glad his sister's courage is being honoured. The rape triggered widespread protests in India.

U.S. Embassy spokesman Peter Vrooman said Tuesday that the woman's parents had provided a statement that will be read on their behalf at the Washington ceremony.