We invite women from across South Africa and the Diaspora to be part of this inspiring journey on 7 and 8 March 2026. Women who win across the 17plus categories will automatically qualify as finalists for the Global Awards that will be held in Paris in April 2026. Together, we are changing the world.
Nominate an amazing woman
Women Changing The World Awards
Be Part of Celebrating South Africa’s Changemakers
The Women Changing the World South Africa Awards honour exceptional women who are transforming communities, industries, and futures.
To submit a nomination, all nominators and nominees must first complete the registration process.
Registration unlocks access to the official nomination form and allows you to select the category or categories most suited to your nominee.
Women Holds the ideas and Leadership to Heal The World
Dr. Tererai Trent
We believe that when women come together with a collective intention magic happens.
The Women Changing The World Awards are a global awards program recognising the work of incredible women making a positive difference in the world across a range of industries and areas including business, sustainability, leadership, health, education, product development, innovation and technology.
The Women Changing the World Awards aim is to elevate, celebrate, connect and support women in their journey as changemakers, trailblazers and leaders.
The UN states that achieving gender equality is of crucial importance in reaching the 17 sustainable development goals by 2030 and explains that women are the key to changing the world:
“Achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is integral to each of the 17 goals. Only by ensuring the rights of women and girls across all the goals will we get to justice and inclusion, economies that work for all, and sustaining our shared environment now and for future generations.”
THE WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD
AWARD CATEGORIESHALL OF FAME WOMAN CHANGING THE WORLD OF THE YEAR 2025
This award recognises exceptional women who are changing the World (working in the current field for 20 years+)
WOMAN CHANGING THE WORLD OF THE YEAR 2025
This award recognises exceptional women who are changing the World (working in the current field for less than 20 years)
RISING STAR WOMAN CHANGING THE WORLD OF THE YEAR 2025
This award recognises exceptional women who are changing the World (working in the current field for less than 5 years)
EMERGING WOMAN CHANGING THE WORLD OF THE YEAR 2025
This award recognises exceptional women that are changing the World (working in the current field for less than 2 years)
YOUNG WOMAN CHANGING THE WORLD OF THE YEAR 2025
This award recognises exceptional young women changing the world (under 18 years)
GIRL CHANGING THE WORLD OF THE YEAR 2025
This award recognises exceptional girls changing the world (under 12 years)
WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN TECH
This award recognises women changing the world through the introduction or improvement of an idea, method, technology, process or application
WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN TECH LEADER
WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN HEALTHTECH INNOVATION
WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN TECH INNOVATION
WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD
WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN SUSTAINABILITY
This award recognises women committed to changing the world through sustainable and eco-friendly practices, advocacy or awareness
WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN LITERATURE
This award recognises women committed to changing the world through the power of writing
WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN LITERATURE – CHILDRENS BOOKS
This award recognises women committed to changing the world through the power of writing
WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD IN LAW
This award recognises exceptional women that are changing the world through law
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
We are deeply committed to equal access and opportunity, celebrating diversity, inclusion, and the representation of women from all backgrounds and experiences, and honouring the rich intersectionality that makes every woman’s story unique and powerful.
To support this, registration fees have been waived for the following categories:
- Young Woman of the Year
- Indigenous people Award
- Girl Changing The World of the Year
- Disabilities Leadership Award
- Migrant Leadership Award
- Humanitarian Impact Award
- Rural and Regional Areas Impact Award.
Applicants who submit in the paid categories — choosing three (3) or six (6) categories — increase their chances of being considered for recognition.
entry -FEE
The once-off entry fee help to pay our staff for the awards period and the cost towards organising the events. The fee includes a press release template, PR workshop and Awards Leveraging Workshop valued at R1200.
HOW TO NOMINATE - 3 SIMPLE STEPS
THE WOMEN CHANGING THE WORLD
PAID CATEGORIES3 CATEGORIES
With the 3-Category Nomination Package, you can amplify your visibility across multiple award categories, increasing your chances of being recognised for the full breadth of your work. If you or someone you’re nominating embody excellence in more than one area, this package gives you the platform to shine more boldly and more widely.
- Press Release Template
- PR Workshop
- Leveraging Awards Workshop
6 CATEGORIES
Our premium 6-Category Nomination Package is designed for exceptional women whose contributions span multiple fields or who want the highest visibility during the awards. This package offers the strongest opportunity to showcase your full impact and gain recognition across the categories where you truly excel.
- Press Release Template
- PR Workshop
- Leveraging Awards Workshop
NOMINATE AN AMAZING WOMAN
The Regional Women Changing The World Awards are an awards program that recognises Women Changemakers global.
Acknowledging success in business, sustainability, leadership, health, education, product development, innovation and technology
Celebrate, Leverage, Connect!
Important Dates
Events
7-8 March 2026
Count Every Second Until Event
Women Changing the World (WCW) Global Awards – South Africa Region, taking place on the 7- 8 March 2026. This event is a celebration of women’s innovation, resilience, and power to drive change.
