silhouette faces./PHOTO; Courtesy
UNESCO has opened nominations for the UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education, inviting governments and partner organisations to submit initiatives working to improve education opportunities for girls and women.
The annual prize recognises two laureates whose work demonstrates significant contributions toward advancing gender equality in education. Each recipient receives an award of US$50,000.
The call for nominations for the 2026 edition was announced on 6 March, with submissions open to projects addressing barriers that prevent girls and women from accessing education.
Persistent education gaps
Despite progress in recent decades, significant gender disparities remain in access to education worldwide.
According to UNESCO, 133 million girls are still out of school, while women account for nearly two-thirds of adults globally who cannot read.
These gaps are shaped by multiple factors, including poverty, cultural expectations, geographic location, and social inequalities.
In many contexts, girls face additional barriers such as early marriage, domestic responsibilities, and limited access to safe learning environments.
Education experts say that expanding opportunities for girls and women remains central to broader development goals, including economic participation, health outcomes, and social equality.
Focus on gender-responsive education
The UNESCO prize highlights initiatives that place gender equality at the centre of education systems.
This includes projects that promote gender-sensitive curricula and teaching approaches, create safe and inclusive learning environments, and support collaboration between educators, communities, and policymakers.
The prize also seeks to recognise initiatives that address the needs of the most marginalised groups of girls and women.
Nomination process
Nominations must be submitted through official channels.
Governments of UNESCO Member States and non-governmental organisations in official partnership with UNESCO are eligible to nominate candidates.
Each nominating body can submit up to three nominations. Individuals, institutions, or organisations working to improve girls’ and women’s education can be nominated.
Self-nominations are not allowed.
Potential candidates are encouraged to contact their country’s National Commission for UNESCO or Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, or an NGO in official partnership with UNESCO or the Prize Secretariat for guidance on the nomination process.
Eligibility requirements
Projects submitted for consideration must meet specific eligibility criteria.
Nominated initiatives must have been operational for at least two years and demonstrate measurable results.
They must also show potential to be replicated or expanded to other contexts.
An independent international jury of five experts will review the nominations and evaluate them based on three main criteria: impact, innovation, and sustainability.
The jury’s recommendations will then be submitted to the Director-General of UNESCO, who will make the final decision on the prize winners.
Key dates
The deadline for submitting nominations is 12 May 2026.
Submissions must be made in either English or French through UNESCO’s online platform, which is accessible only to authorised nominating institutions.
The selected laureates will be announced later in the year.
The two winners will be recognised at an award ceremony on 9 October 2026, held as part of global celebrations marking the International Day of the Girl.
The prize is intended to highlight initiatives that demonstrate effective approaches to expanding education opportunities for girls and women, while drawing attention to ongoing global challenges in achieving gender equality in education.
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