At the 19th Annual International Women of Courage Award Ceremony held in Washington, D.C., two remarkable women were honored for their extraordinary contributions to society. Namini Wijedasa, Deputy Editor-Investigations at the Sunday Times, and Angelique Songco, known as "Mama Ranger," were among the awardees celebrated for their leadership and courage in advocating for change.
The ceremony took place on April 1, 2025, at the Benjamin Franklin Room of the U.S. State Department, with First Lady Melania Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in attendance. The event recognized eight women leaders from around the world, each demonstrating exceptional courage and commitment to their causes.
Namini Wijedasa, who has a long-standing career in journalism, expressed her commitment to systemic change during her acceptance speech. "The impact I want to have is not to change governments. I want systems to change. I want laws to be put in place. I want institutions to be strengthened so that people are not able to abuse them, and that is what we have, as investigative journalists, always fought for, and that’s what I will keep fighting for," she stated.
Marco Rubio, acknowledging the efforts of the awardees, emphasized the importance of protecting women and girls. "There is so much more to be said about the accomplishments and the courage and the leadership of each of these great women. And let me reaffirm the importance of protecting women and girls and promoting their well-being are American goals," Rubio said.
Wijedasa began her career in 1994 at the Island and has since contributed to various publications, including the Daily Mirror, Associated Press, and Lakbimanews. She joined the Sunday Times in 2012 and has served as a stringer for NHK, the Japanese National Broadcaster, since 2001. Additionally, she is the Sri Lanka correspondent for The Economist.
In a parallel celebration, Angelique Songco received the International Women of Courage Award for her leadership in marine conservation. As the superintendent of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Protected Area in Palawan, Songco has dedicated her career to protecting marine biodiversity. "For me, courage is making decisions, making one’s choices, despite the uncertainties," Songco remarked during the ceremony.
Songco has managed the Tubbataha Reefs since 2001, leading a team of marine park rangers to safeguard the 97,030-hectare protected area from illegal fishing, poaching, and unsustainable tourism practices. Under her leadership, the Tubbataha Reefs have received multiple global recognitions, including being one of the first Platinum Global Ocean Refuge Systems.
Following her award, Songco will participate in an exchange program that includes the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in Washington, D.C., and additional activities in Los Angeles. This program aims to connect emerging foreign leaders with their American counterparts, fostering dialogue on women's roles in shaping policies and protecting women's rights.
Secretary Rubio reiterated the U.S. government's commitment to women's empowerment, stating, "We try to take every opportunity to defend and to promote women and girls across the world…So to our honorees, congratulations, and thank you for your work to create a safer and more secure and just world."
The 2025 IWOC awardees included women from various countries, such as Henriette Da from Burkina Faso, Amit Soussana from Israel, Major Velena Iga from Papua New Guinea, Georgiana Pascu from Romania, Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit from South Sudan, and Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj from Yemen. Additionally, the Women Student Protest Leaders of Bangladesh received the Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award.
The Secretary of State’s IWOC Award recognizes women globally who have demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, and the empowerment of women and girls, often at great personal risk and sacrifice. Since 2007, more than 190 IWOC awardees from over 90 countries have been honored by the U.S. Department of State.
The stories of Namini Wijedasa and Angelique Songco exemplify the spirit of resilience and the pursuit of justice that the International Women of Courage Award seeks to celebrate. Their work not only inspires others but also highlights the importance of systemic change and environmental conservation in creating a better future for all.
