Written by The world is currently off track to achieve gender equality by 2030. Progress remains slow, and persistent health and rights disparities continue to limit opportunities for women and girls.
Women disproportionately experience certain mental health conditions and are more frequently exposed to social challenges that contribute to psychosocial distress.
Nearly half of married women lack decision-making power over their sexual and reproductive health. Alarmingly, 1 in 5 young women are married before the age of 18—and at the current pace, it could take 300 years to end child marriage.
Now in its second year, the Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship was established to empower young leaders dedicated to addressing these urgent and interconnected challenges.
The scholarship equips emerging changemakers with the tools, knowledge, and global platform needed to drive transformative action.
By supporting passionate advocates working on issues such as child marriage, gender-based violence, and mental health disparities, the programme aims to nurture a new generation of empathetic, courageous, and visionary leaders committed to building a more just, inclusive, and equitable world.
This opportunity is delivered by One Young World in partnership with the Hauwa Ojeifo Global Impact Fund for Women & Girls. Led by mental health advocate and One Young World Ambassador Hauwa Ojeifo, the Impact Fund is working to strengthen systems of care for the health and wellbeing of 100 million women and girls by 2030.
Applications are now open for the 2026 cohort of the Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship.
The programme seeks sixteen emerging young leaders committed to tackling the pressing challenges facing women and girls today.
Applicants must apply through the official application portal. Please note that shortlisted candidates may be required to submit additional documentation, including references, during the selection process.
Candidate Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be aged 18–30 at the time of the One Young World Summit 2026.
(Candidates over 30 may be considered if they demonstrate exceptional personal impact, initiative, and commitment to engagement.) - Hold a leadership role, work within an organisation, or lead an independent initiative with proven impact aligned with at least one of the following themes:
- Mental Health (including neurodivergence and developmental differences)
- Domestic & Sexual Violence
- Disability Rights & Rights of Older People
- Gynaecological Health & Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights
- Maternal and Child Health
- Girl Child Issues (FGM, child/adolescent pregnancy, child marriage)
- Non-Communicable Diseases
- Live and actively create impact in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East
- Demonstrate willingness to engage with fellow scholarship recipients
What You Will Receive
Selected Hauwa Ojeifo Scholars will receive:
- Full access to the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, taking place from 3–6 November 2026
- Lifelong membership in the One Young World Ambassador Community
- Access to the One Young World Global Leadership Programme and Action Accelerator
- Opportunity to apply for grant funding of up to $25,000 USD
- Hotel accommodation for the duration of the Summit
- Return economy flights from your country of residence to Cape Town
- Catering (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) throughout the Summit
- Transport between accommodation and the Summit venue
Application Deadline: 27 March 2026