Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady Melania Trump will honor extraordinary women from across the globe with the International Women of Courage (IWOC) Awards on April 1. This event, held annually, will take place at the Department of State and be available for viewing via live stream on the Department's homepage and YouTube channel.
Established 19 years ago, the IWOC Award highlights women from varying nations who exhibit remarkable courage, resilience, and leadership, often at significant personal risk. Since its inception in 2007, the award has gone to over 200 women from more than 90 countries. U.S. embassies worldwide nominate candidates, and finalists are chosen with senior Department officials' approval. Awardees then engage in the International Visitor Leadership Program and related activities based in Los Angeles.
This year's honorees include:
Henriette Da from Burkina Faso, a human rights defender noted for her advocacy work and leadership roles in civil society organizations, including serving as President of the National Human Rights Commission.
Amit Soussana of Israel, an attorney advocating for hostages under Hamas control, drawing from personal experience as a survivor of the October 2023 attack. "Amit Soussana uses her voice to courageously advocate for survivors by using her own lived example to describe the trauma she suffered as a hostage," highlighting her impactful work.
Major Velena Iga from Papua New Guinea, who combats violence against women and contributes to significant changes in legal and social protection frameworks.
Angelique Songco from the Philippines, known as "Mama Ranger," who has led efforts to protect the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park against illegal activities for over two decades.
Georgiana Pascu of Romania, a rights advocate for institutionalized individuals with disabilities, who has played a critical role in developing monitoring laws and highlighting abuses before the European Court of Human Rights.
Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit of South Sudan, a women's rights leader with considerable experience in post-conflict regions, focusing on peace and security initiatives at the grassroots level.
Namini Wijedasa from Sri Lanka, a veteran journalist focusing on corruption and accountability, navigating restrictive legislation to voice significant national issues.
Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj of Yemen, for amplifying Yemeni detainees' stories through the Abductees’ Mothers Association, striving for accountability amidst ongoing conflicts. "We are speaking of civilians who have not participated in the conflict," she stressed at the UN Security Council.
Additionally, the Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award will celebrate the "Women Student Protest Leaders of Bangladesh," who stood against violent repression. They showed unwavering courage during protests in 2024, even amid internet shutdowns and security threats.
The IWOC Awards underscore the Department of State's commitment to recognizing and supporting global women's bravery and leadership.