The largest and most diverse class of young leaders announced

Women Deliver — a leading global advocacy organisation for gender equality and the health, rights and wellbeing of girls and women — announced its newest, largest and most diverse class of Young Leaders to date: 300 changemakers who have dedicated their lives to advancing gender equality recently.

This was the programme's most competitive application process yet, with nearly 3,000 applications for 300 spots. It is also the largest and most diverse cohort to join the award-winning programme: the group hails from 121 countries and collectively speaks 98 languages. The Young Leaders also represent groups too often marginalised, including 66 people affected by humanitarian emergencies, 29 self-identified indigenous persons and — for the first time — 18 adolescents.

Women Deliver selected all the Young Leaders for their potential to have a lasting impact on the lives of girls and women. As a group, they have already driven tangible progress on a wide range of issues, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, LGBTQ+ rights, peace and security, water and sanitation, gender-based violence, education, maternal health, and political participation.

"Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow — they are leading today, not least when it comes to changing gender norms and breaking down barriers facing girls and women," said Katja Iversen, President/CEO of Women Deliver. "The Women Deliver Young Leaders Programme is here to amplify the voices of youth, maximise the impact and support the incredible work these young advocates are already doing."