Photographer Christina Assi and Gisèle Pelicot are among the 100 most influential women of 2024, according to the BBC

This ranking intends to celebrate those who, “thanks to their resilience, push for change”, specifies the British media.

An AFP photographer injured in Lebanon, Christina Assi, Gisèle Pelicot, a septuagenarian who has become a symbol of violence against women and the American actress Sharon Stone are among the 100 female personalities of the year, according to a BBC ranking unveiled on Tuesday December 3. Divided into five categories – climate, culture and education, entertainment and sports, politics, science, health and tech – these distinctions highlight women who, “thanks to their resilience, push for change“, details the British news outlet.

The photographer Christina Assi, whose right leg was amputated following an Israeli strike in October 2023, while she was reporting in Lebanon, is distinguished in the political category and Gisèle Pélicot has become the emblem of rape victims across the world. Sharon Stone is distinguished for her entire career.

Regarding Christina Assi, the BBC clarified that “this experience (in Lebanon) led her to campaign for the safety of journalists, and she dedicated her participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic torch relay” to all the dead journalists in the exercise of their functions.” Having been selected “is an incredible honor, especially as a female photographer in a field often dominated by men“, reacted Christina Assi.

This distinction “is a tribute to all the courageous journalists who were targeted simply for doing their job“, she added. She also said she hopes “that this recognition will highlight the importance of press freedom and the sacrifices made to achieve it“.

The Frenchwoman Gisèle Pelicot is also distinguished in the same category. This woman has become the emblem of rape victims around the world. Sedated with anxiolytics by her husband and raped in her sleep for ten years by him and dozens of men he invited, she was at the center of an extraordinary trial with international repercussions this fall. For the BBC, “By waiving her right to anonymity and allowing her story to be broadcast around the world, Gisèle Pelicot became a symbol of courage and resilience“.

In the United Kingdom, Labor Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch are also distinguished in the same category. On the cultural side, the unforgettable interpreter of Basic InstinctSharon Stone is distinguished for her entire career. Musical revelation of the year 2023, the British singer Raye is also in the list.

In sports, Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade (holder of six Olympic medals, including two gold) is distinguished for having notably succeeded “to overcome many serious injuries“.