Applications are officially open for the 2025 edition of the One Young World Hauwa Ojeifo Award, a program designed to uplift emerging trailblazers devoted to advancing the rights and wellbeing of women and girls. This initiative offers selected participants the resources, training, and international exposure necessary to drive substantial change within their communities. It focuses on empowering individuals who are actively combating issues such as forced child marriages, gender violence, disability inclusion, and other urgent challenges affecting women globally. The goal is to nurture a generation of compassionate and bold changemakers dedicated to creating fairer and more inclusive societies.

This opportunity was named in honor of Hauwa Ojeifo, a mental health advocate from Nigeria who, after receiving diagnoses of bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, established “She Writes Woman,” a pioneering organization giving voice to mental health and psychosocial disability issues. Her platform empowers individuals with firsthand experiences to break the silence and advocate for systemic change.

Through her work, Hauwa has set up a free national hotline in Nigeria, available around the clock, allowing individuals to connect with trained counselors for immediate support. Additionally, she leads an online network of over 2,000 individuals comprising mental health champions and people affected by mental health conditions, offering them a safe space to share their stories and access trusted, up-to-date information on mental wellbeing.

In 2024, Hauwa was recognized by Melinda French Gates as one of twelve global changemakers and received a portion of a $20 million grant to continue strengthening initiatives aimed at improving the health and dignity of women and girls.

This scholarship targets young leaders between the ages of 18 and 30, though exceptional applicants outside this age range may also be considered if they exhibit a notable history of impact and leadership. Eligible applicants must be leading or significantly involved in impactful work related to areas such as mental health (including neurodivergence), sexual or domestic abuse, advocacy for individuals with disabilities or elderly populations, reproductive and gynecological care, child and maternal health, or broader concerns affecting girls such as child marriage, adolescent pregnancy, and harmful practices. While all the listed causes are welcomed, there is particular interest in those whose work also integrates mental health care and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities.

Applicants must be based in and working to create change in regions across Africa, Asia, or the Middle East. Chosen individuals will receive full sponsorship to attend the 2025 One Young World Summit in Munich, Germany, scheduled from November 3 to 6. Recipients will also gain permanent access to the One Young World Ambassador network, benefit from mentoring sessions led by experts, and be eligible to apply for additional project funding of up to $25,000 USD to scale their impact.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity