U.S. Secretary of State's 2025 International Women of Courage Award Recipient List Features a Romanian Woman
Meet Georgiana Pascu, a tenacious Romanian crusader for human rights, who's made it her life's mission to champion the cause of institutionalized children and adults with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities. This year, she's been awarded one of the prestigious 2025 International Women of Courage Awards by the U.S. Secretary of State, in recognition of her extraordinary dedication.
Now in its 19th year, the IWOC Award salutes women worldwide who showcase extraordinary courage, resilience, and leadership, often at great personal risk. Georgiana Pascu, the chosen recipient from Romania, has spent her professional journey fighting for the rights of institutionalized individuals with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities[2][3][4].
The press release singles out Pascu's tireless endeavors in monitoring visits, conducting training, and engaging in media and legal advocacy to support deinstitutionalization and the rights of persons with disabilities[4]. Over the past 25 years, she has secured rights and ensured safe treatment for thousands of disabled individuals in Romania[4]. Her instrumental role even led to the adoption of the first law for monitoring visits to care institutions in the region[4].
Pascu was also part of the team that documented a landmark disability rights case at the European Court of Human Rights, involving the mistreatment and eventual death of Valentin Campeanu, an orphan with severe mental disabilities, while in a state care facility[4].
Since 2007, the Department of State has bestowed the IWOC Award upon over 200 women from more than 90 countries[4]. The nominations come from US diplomatic missions overseas, with finalists selected and approved by senior Department officials. After the award ceremony, the recipients will partake in an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and additional programming in Los Angeles[4].
Women from Yemen, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Israel, Burkina Faso, and Bangladesh will also be honored with the award[4].
The award ceremony will take place on Tuesday, April 1, at 13:00 PM EDT, graced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady Melania Trump[4].
(Photo source: US Embassy in Romania)
Georgiana Pascu's contributions extend beyond Romania, as she has been a vocal advocate for systemic reforms, working to address neglect and abuse in care systems[1][2]. Through her relentless efforts, she stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration in the disability rights reform movement[1][2].
Georgiana Pascu, the 2025 International Women of Courage Award recipient from Romania, has dedicated her career to championing the rights of individuals with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities who are institutionalized. Her work includes monitoring visits, conducting training, and engaging in media and legal advocacy to promote deinstitutionalization and safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities. Over the past 25 years, she has made significant strides in ensuring health-and-wellness for thousands of disabled individuals in Romania.
Moreover, Pascu was part of a team that documented a pivotal disability rights case at the European Court of Human Rights, drawing attention to the mistreatment and eventual death of Valentin Campeanu, an orphan with severe mental disabilities in a state care facility. As the first law for monitoring visits to care institutions in the region was adopted due to her instrumental role, she continues to be a driving force in systemic reforms aimed at addressing neglect and abuse in care systems.
Having been awarded one of the prestigious IWOC Awards, Pascu will collaborate with women from Yemen, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Israel, Burkina Faso, Bangladesh, and beyond, during the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and additional programming in Los Angeles following the award ceremony on April 1 at 13:00 PM EDT.
Significantly, her contributions extend far beyond Romania, with her tenacity and dedication serving as an inspiration for women's health and the larger disability rights reform movement worldwide.
