Article
The 2022 UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education now open for nominations
On International Women’s Day, UNESCO launches the call for nominations for the 2022 UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education. The Prize awards US$ 50,000 annually to two laureates making outstanding efforts in favour of girls’ and women’s education.
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and in a context where girls and women have been disproportionately impacted by lengthy school closures, the Prize is more significant in 2022 than ever before. Ensuring that girls and women have access to inclusive, quality education and learning opportunities must be a top priority.
Before the pandemic hit, UNESCO estimated that some countries lose more than US $1 billion a year by failing to educate girls to the same level of boys.
Today, millions of girls and young women are at risk of never returning to classrooms despite schools reopening. This is in addition to the estimated 127 million girls who were already out of school the year before COVID-19 struck.
Highlighting innovations that help us foster an equal future is key to responding to global challenges facing girls' and women's education. Read about the nomination process below.
Who?
Governments of UNESCO Member States and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in official partnership with UNESCO are invited to nominate up to three individuals, institutions or organizations who have made strong, innovative contributions in favour of girls’ and women’s education.
Interested candidates are invited to contact their country’s National Commission for UNESCO/Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, or an NGO in official partnership with UNESCO for more information.
What?
Nominations must meet the eligibility and selection criteria set by the Prize. Nominated projects must be established and running for at least two years and show potential to be replicable and scalable. An independent International Jury of five experts will assess nominations on the basis of the project’s potential for impact, innovation and sustainability.
Consult the selection process webpage of the Prize to learn more.
When?
Deadline for submissions is 20 May 2022 (midnight, Paris time).
How?
Nominations must be submitted in English or French via an online platform, accessible only to National Commissions for UNESCO/Permanent Delegations to UNESCO and NGOs in official partnership with UNESCO.
Based on the recommendations of the Jury, the Director-General of UNESCO will announce the 2022 laureates who will receive the award on 11 October 2022 as part of International Day of the Girl celebrations.
