Freeing civilians abducted and imprisoned in Yemen. Confronting corruption in Sri Lanka through investigative journalism. Promoting human rights for those with intellectual disabilities who have been institutionalized in Romania.
For Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj, Namini Wijedasa and Georgiana Pascu, it’s not simply a job — it’s their life’s passion. The three are among eight women honored by the U.S. State Department as 2025 International Women of Courage in recognition of the exceptional courage, strength and leadership with which they have advanced justice and human rights — often at great personal risk and sacrifice.
And on April 7, they came to the UCLA to share their experiences as part of a public panel discussion at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Joining them during the day of activities were four other 2025 honorees — Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit of South Sundan, Angelique Songco of the Philippines, Henriette Da of Burkina Faso and Major Belena Iga of Papua New Guinea.
In addition to the panel, the seven award winners also met for small-group roundtable conversations with senior leaders and affiliates of UCLA, exchanging ideas, stories and perspectives and discussing their mutual interests in serving vulnerable communities around the globe.
Read more about the conversations and the panel on the International Institute website.
