About the award
Gender equality in education is a basic right and a prerequisite to build inclusive societies. Although notable progress has been made over the last 20 years, 16 million girls will never set foot in a classroom (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
The UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education honours outstanding innovation and contributions made by individuals, institutions and organizations to advance girls’ and women’s education. It is the first UNESCO Prize of this nature and will be unique in showcasing successful projects that improve and promote the educational prospects of girls and women and in turn, the quality of their lives.
Supported by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Prize is conferred annually to two laureates and consists of an award of USD 50,000 each to further their work in the area of girls’ and women’s education.
The two laureates of the first edition of the Prize were selected by the Director-general of UNESCO on the basis of recommendations by the International Jury, composed of five experts in girls' and women’s education. The Prize was awarded for the first time to two outstanding projects from Indonesia and Zimbabwe at an official ceremony that was held in Beijing, P.R. China in June 2016.
Established in 2015 by UNESCO’s Executive Board, the Prize will contribute to the attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda, particularly SDG goals 4 on education and 5 on gender equality. It will also support UNESCO’s global priorities included in the Medium-term Strategy 2014-2021 and the Gender Equality Action Plan 2014-2021 (GEAP II).
Eligibility
Background
The UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education rewards outstanding efforts of individuals, institutions other entities or non-governmental organizations engaged in activities in girls’ and women’s education. The Prize was established by the Executive Board of UNESCO at its 197th session, and launched in 2016 with generous support by the government of the People’s Republic of China. The Prize contributes to two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” (Goal 4) and “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” (Goal 5).
Nominations
Nominations can be made by Governments of UNESCO Member States via their Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in official partnership with UNESCO. Nominations must focus on a specific project or programme of the nominee advancing girls’ and women’s education. Each Permanent Delegation or NGO can make up to three nominations for any edition of the Prize. Self-nominations are not accepted.
Selection Criteria
The two Prize winners will be selected by the Director-General of UNESCO on the basis of recommendations made by the independent International Jury of the UNESCO Prize on Girls’ and Women’s Education consisting of five experts from all geographical regions. The project/programme of the nominee will be assessed by the Jury based on the following criteria:
a. Impact: The project/programme’s impact should be qualitatively and/or quantitatively measureable, and deliver tangible results relative to the invested resources. This can include demonstrable changes in: (1) attitudes, beliefs and practices toward gender equality; (2) girls’ educational participation, attendance, completion and learning outcomes; and/or (3) other relevant parameters to advance girls’ and women’s education.
b. Innovation: The project/programme is stimulating, and/or drawing on, innovative approaches advancing girls’ and women’s education. This includes new ways of working where “business as usual” has failed, and transformative “out-of-the-box” thinking and actions. The project/programme can demonstrate innovation in terms of: (1) the themes covered; (2) the methodology employed; (3) the channels used to create change for girls and women; and/or (4) other aspects.
c. Sustainability: The project/programme has taken steps, ideally from its design or implementation phases, to ensure it will have a lasting impact beyond the project lifecycle. This may include efforts to ensure the: (1) continuation of local action; (2) institutionalization of project components; and (3) generation of further initiatives as a result of the project/programme.
Who can nominate?
Governments of UNESCO Member States via their National Commissions and Permanent Delegations to UNESCO, andNon-GovernmentalOrganizations (NGOs) in o cial partnership
with UNESCO can each make up to 3 nominations.
Who can be nominated
Individuals, institutions or organizations having e ectively contributed to the advancement of girls’ and women’s education. Nominationsmustrelateto an established project or programme.
For more information click "Further official information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://en.unesco.org/themes/women-s-and-girls-education/prize