Hauwa Ojeifo Scholarship to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa

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.

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.

What is One Young World?

We stage an annual Summit where the most valuable young talent from global and national companies, NGOs, universities and other forward-thinking organisations are joined by world leaders, acting as the One Young World Counsellors.

Delegates participate in four transformative days of speeches, panels, networking and workshops. All delegates have the opportunity to apply to give keynote speeches, sharing a platform with world leaders with the world’s media in attendance. As well as listening to keynote speakers, delegates have the opportunity to challenge world leaders, interact and be mentored by influencers. Delegates make lasting connections throughout the Summit, celebrating their participation at social events and the unforgettable Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

After each Summit, the delegates, who are then known as One Young World Ambassadors, work on their own initiatives or lend the power of the One Young World network to those initiatives already in existence. Of those in employment, many returns to their companies and set about creating change from within, energising their corporate environment.