Major Velena Iga of Papua New Guinea has been honored with the International Women of Courage Award at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. The event was led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady Melania Trump, celebrating eight women for their dedication to positive change through courage, determination, and resilience.
Major Iga has played a crucial role in addressing violence against women, sorcery accusation-related violence, and human trafficking in Papua New Guinea, working with the Salvation Army House of Hope in Port Moresby. Her advocacy efforts have included launching initiatives like the “1-Tok” counseling hotline and a training manual on modern slavery and human trafficking, which have contributed significantly to systemic legal and social changes within the country.
First Lady Melania Trump remarked at the ceremony, “Their remarkable stories are a testament to the power of love in practice for family, community, and our world.” She highlighted the awardees' commitment to ending violence, promoting education, and upholding human rights. Major Iga herself stated, “Courage means strength, determination … to help someone who may not have the voice,” underscoring her dedication to protecting vulnerable populations in her community.
Nominated by U.S. embassies worldwide and selected through a process in Washington, the award also went to Henriette Da, Amit Soussana, Angelique Songco, Georgiana Pascu, Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit, Namini Wijedasa, and Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj. Since its inception by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the award has recognized women demonstrating exceptional leadership and courage, even at personal risk. The 19th International Women of Courage Award Ceremony reinforces the U.S. commitment to empowering women and defending their rights globally.