The Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship 2026 is now open for applications. This scholarship is designed for emerging young leaders committed to tackling the pressing and interconnected challenges affecting women and girls around the world. Delivered by One Young World in partnership with the Hauwa Ojeifo Global Impact Fund for Women & Girls, the scholarship equips changemakers with the tools, knowledge, and global platform needed to create meaningful impact. About the Scholarship Despite global progress on gender equality, the world is not on track to achieve the 2030 targets. Disparities in health, rights, and opportunities continue to affect women and girls, creating systemic barriers across education, employment, and social participation. Women disproportionately experience mental health challenges and social pressures that exacerbate psychosocial distress. Nearly half of married women globally lack autonomy over their sexual and reproductive health decisions. 1 in 5 young women are married before turning 18, and at the current rate of progress, ending child marriage could take over 300 years. Now in its second year, the Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship empowers young leaders who are actively addressing these issues. It supports those tackling gender-based violence, child marriage, mental health disparities, and other critical challenges, fostering a new generation of empathetic, courageous, and visionary leaders. Partnership and Impact The scholarship is delivered in collaboration with the Hauwa Ojeifo Global Impact Fund for Women & Girls, led by One Young World Ambassador and mental health advocate Hauwa Ojeifo. The Impact Fund’s mission is ambitious: to strengthen systems of care for the health and wellbeing of 100 million women and girls by 2030. By joining this program, scholars become part of a global community committed to transformative social impact. Who Can Apply? The 2026 cohort will select 16 young leaders from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East who demonstrate commitment to improving the lives of women and girls. Candidates must meet the following criteria: Age: 18–30 at the time of the One Young World Summit 2026. Candidates older than 30 may be considered if they demonstrate exceptional personal impact and initiative. Leadership Experience: Must hold a leadership role, work with an organization, or champion an initiative with proven impact in one of the following areas: Mental health, including neurodivergence and developmental differences Domestic and sexual violence Disability rights and older persons’ rights Gynaecological, sexual, and reproductive health and rights Maternal and child health Issues affecting the girl child (FGM, child marriage, adolescent pregnancy) Non-communicable diseases Geography: Must live and make an impact in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East. Engagement: Willingness to actively collaborate and engage with fellow scholarship recipients. What Scholars Will Receive Selected scholars will gain access to a range of benefits designed to amplify their impact: Tools and knowledge to implement transformative initiatives for women and girls A global platform to share ideas, advocate, and network with other young leaders Mentorship from established advocates and sector experts Opportunities to participate in events, workshops, and collaborative projects organized by One Young World The program equips scholars not only with funding support but also with mentorship, guidance, and exposure to international best practices in advocacy, leadership, and social innovation. How to Apply Applications are open through the One Young World portal. The application process includes: Providing personal details, including age, citizenship, and location Sharing your leadership experience and organizational involvement Submitting references if longlisted Explaining your impact and future goals for addressing women and girls’ challenges Application deadline: 27 March 2026Opening date: 16 February 2026 It is recommended that applicants carefully review eligibility criteria and prepare a thoughtful application showcasing their vision, leadership, and impact. Why Apply? The Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship is more than a funding opportunity—it is a platform to: Lead initiatives that create measurable social change Network with other passionate young leaders globally Receive mentorship and capacity-building to scale impact Contribute directly to the health, rights, and empowerment of women and girls This scholarship is an unparalleled opportunity to join a global network of changemakers and make a lasting contribution to advancing gender equality. Get Started Ready to take the next step? Apply now to become a Hauwa Ojeifo Scholar 2026 and help shape a more just, inclusive, and equitable world for women and girls. Apply here: One Young World Scholarship Portal For questions or guidance during the application process, reach out to information@oneyoungworld.com For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization that is offering this scholarship. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.