About The Scholarship
The world is not on track to achieve gender equality by 2030. The slow rate of progress is compounded by health and rights disparities that impact women and girls’ opportunities across a broad range of other areas. Women disproportionately suffer from certain mental disorders and are more frequently subject to social issues that lead to mental illness and psychosocial distress. Nearly half of married women lack decision-making power of their sexual health and rights. 1 in 5 young women are married before their 18th birthday and at the current rate of progress it will take 300 years to end child marriage.
Now in its second year, the Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship was created to empower young leaders who are committed to addressing the urgent and deeply interconnected challenges facing women and girls today. The scholarship equips emerging changemakers with the tools, knowledge, and global platform they need to lead transformative action. By supporting passionate young leaders who are tackling issues like child marriage, gender-based violence, and mental health disparities, the Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship aims to foster a new generation of empathetic, courageous, and visionary leaders working toward a more just, inclusive, and equitable world for all.
One Young World is proud to deliver this opportunity in partnership with Hauwa Ojeifo Global Impact Fund for Women & Girls. Led by trailblazing advocate for mental health and One Young World Ambassador Hauwa Ojeifo, the Impact Fund is on a mission to strengthen systems of care for the health and wellbeing for 100 million women & girls by 2030.
Join us
Applications are now live for the 2026 cohort of The Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship.
We are looking for sixteen emerging young leaders who are committed to addressing the urgent and deeply interconnected challenges facing women and girls today.
Applicants must apply through the application portal below.
Please note that if longlisted for the scholarship, you may be invited to submit additional documentation, including references as part of the application process.
Candidates must be:
- Young leaders aged 18 - 30 at the time of the One Young World Summit 2026*
- Leadership role or working in an organisation or championing your own initiative with proven impact in a field aligned with at least one of the following themes:
- Mental Health including neurodivergence and developmental differences.
- Domestic & Sexual Violence.
- Disability Rights & the rights of older people.
- Gynaecological Health & Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights.
- Maternal and Child Health.
- Issues of the Girl Child (FGM, Child-Adolescent Pregnancy & Child Marriage).
- Non-Communicable Diseases.
- Live and make an impact in Africa, Asia or The Middle East.
- Willingness to engage with fellow scholarship recipients
*We are not able to accept applications from those who will be aged under 18 at the time of the Summit. The One Young World team will consider candidates who are older than 30, pending demonstration of appropriate personal impact, initiative, and willingness to engage.
Hauwa Ojeifo Scholars will receive:
- Access to participate in the One Young World Summit 2026 which takes place in Cape Town, South Africa from 3 - 6 November.
- Lifelong membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community.
- Access to the One Young WorldGlobal Leadership Programme and Action Accelerator.
- Opportunity to apply for grant funding of up to $25,000 USD.
- Hotel accommodation for the duration of the One Young World Summit.
- Return travel from your country of residence to Cape Town (flights in economy).
- Catering which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the Summit.
- Transport between the Summit accommodation and the Summit venue