The UN Women has launched a Prestigious Global Award: 2026 Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment
Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment
The Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment is a distinguished international accolade that honors and celebrates the exceptional contributions of individuals, civil society organizations, public institutions, and private sector entities that are actively advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls worldwide.
Launched in partnership with UN Women, this award recognizes innovation, leadership, and dedication to achieving lasting and transformative change in the lives of women and girls. It seeks to amplify successful initiatives, encourage the replication of best practices, and inspire future action toward gender-inclusive development on a global scale.
Objectives of the Award
The primary aim of the Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment is to shine a global spotlight on efforts that are making a tangible difference in the field of gender equality. The award is guided by several core objectives:
- Recognition of Contributions: The award highlights the efforts of individuals, government bodies, private companies, and civil society organizations that are leading the charge toward a more gender-equal world. These efforts may include policy reforms, social campaigns, corporate initiatives, and grassroots movements that empower women and girls.
- Promotion of Gender Equality: It seeks to promote the empowerment of women in all spheres—economic, social, cultural, and political—by encouraging equal opportunities and rights for women and men alike.
- Encouragement of Innovation: The award recognizes innovative approaches that bring creative solutions to the challenges of gender inequality. It promotes new models, strategies, and tools that have demonstrably improved the status of women and girls.
- Fostering Inclusive Collaboration: By celebrating shared achievements, the award promotes inclusive thinking and collaborative action. It acknowledges that the empowerment of women and girls contributes directly to the well-being, prosperity, and sustainable development of communities and nations.
- Creating Global Recognition: Beyond awarding achievements, the initiative creates an international platform to share success stories, amplify voices, and inspire others to take action for gender equality.
Who Should Apply?
The award welcomes applications from a diverse range of actors committed to women’s empowerment. These include:
- Individual Champions: Activists, community leaders, academics, and other individuals who have played a pivotal role in promoting women’s rights and leadership in their communities or sectors.
- Civil Society Organizations: NGOs, non-profits, advocacy groups, and community-based organizations that have implemented impactful projects or programs that advance gender equality and empower women.
- Public Sector Entities: Government agencies, ministries, or public institutions that have enacted effective policies, developed inclusive programs, or implemented reforms that promote women’s empowerment.
- Private Sector Enterprises: Corporations and private businesses that have adopted gender-responsive policies, promoted women’s leadership, or engaged in impactful corporate social responsibility initiatives that benefit women and girls.
Applications are open to organizations and individuals from all geographical regions, backgrounds, and sectors. Submissions should demonstrate tangible impact, innovation, scalability, and sustainability of the empowerment efforts undertaken.
Application Deadline
The application period for the current cycle of the Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment will close at 11:59 PM (New York Time) on March 20, 2026. All applicants are encouraged to submit their entries well before the deadline to ensure eligibility.
Applications can be submitted through the following categories:
- Civil Society
- Public Sector
- Private Sector
- Individual
Interested candidates and organizations can find full application guidelines and eligibility criteria on the official award website.
Impact of the Inaugural Award
The inaugural edition of the award, held in 2019, set a strong precedent by recognizing pioneering initiatives from around the world. The winners of the 2019 HRH Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment have since reflected on the profound impact the recognition had on their work. Many reported increased visibility, greater access to funding and partnerships, and enhanced credibility that allowed their initiatives to expand and scale to new regions.
The award not only elevated their platforms but also served as a powerful motivator for continued advocacy and innovation. Their stories stand as powerful testaments to the transformative potential of empowerment efforts when they are recognized, supported, and shared on a global stage.
Through this global initiative, UN Women and the Supreme Council for Women in the Kingdom of Bahrain reaffirm their commitment to a world where every woman and girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential. The Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment continues to be a beacon of hope, progress, and excellence in the global journey toward gender equality.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hosting organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
