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 health conditions and are more frequently subject to social issues that lead to psychosocial disability. 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.
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 disability rights, 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.
About Hauwa
After being diagnosed with bipolar and PTSD, Hauwa founded She Writes Woman, an award-winning movement giving mental health and psychosocial disabilities a voice in Nigeria by empowering people with lived experiences to share their stories.
To support those with mental health conditions and disabilities, Hauwa has established a 24/7 Toll-free Helpline that anyone in Nigeria can call to speak to a trained counsellor. Alongside this, she has established an online community of over 2,000 mental health advocates and people living with mental health conditions. Members can connect, share their experiences, and receive accurate knowledge and information about mental health.
Hauwa is ensuring that mental health continues to be normalised by educating the next generation. Through advocacy workshops, she teaches people strategic advocacy skills and practical knowledge in international human rights treaties and conventions, equipping them with the tools to make systemic change in Nigeria's mental health and disability rights space.
In 2024, Hauwa was selected by Melinda French Gates as one of twelve leaders who received a $20 million fund to support charitable organisations that are doing impactful work to improve women’s health and well-being.
Hauwa Ojeifo Scholars will receive:
- Full funding to participate in the One Young World Summit 2025 which takes place in Munich, Germany from 3 - 6 November.
- Lifelong membership of the One Young World Ambassador Community.
- Access to the One Young World Action Accelerator & expert led mento sessions to help turn their inspiration into action.
- Opportunity to apply for grant funding of up to $25,000 USD.
Who will the scholarship support?
- Young leaders aged 18 - 30* who:
- Are leading or playing a leadership role in an organisation/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.
- Gynecological Health & Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights.
- Maternal and Child Health.
- Issues of the Girl Child (FGM, Child-Adolescent Pregnancy & Child Marriage).
- Non-Communicable Diseases.
- While this opportunity will support projects making an impact on any of the issues above, One Young World is particularly keen to connect with organisations that integrate psychosocial support and a disability inclusive lens in their programming.
- Live and make an impact in Africa, Asia or the Middle East.
*Most delegates are between the ages of 18 and 30. The One Young World team will consider applications from those who are older than 30, pending demonstration of appropriate personal impact, initiative, and willingness to engage. We are not able to accept applications from those who will be aged under 18 at the time of the Summit.