Wedu Women's Leadership Awards 2025

Rooted in Wedu’s Strategic Vision for 2025–2027, this year’s awards spotlight those who are not only breaking barriers but also redefining leadership in response to the region’s most urgent challenges—the climate crisis, the undervalued care economy, and systemic economic inequality.

Read about the award categories and meet our jury below!

Nominations are closed! Thank you to all who participated, stay tuned for the shortlist and news on the awarding ceremony.

   

Celebrates women leaders driving innovative, community-based solutions to the climate crisis.

This award honours women who are spearheading environmental resilience efforts—whether through education, advocacy, pioneering climate solutions, or driving grassroots initiatives—and model leadership rooted in the understanding that human beings have a responsibility as part of the web of nature.

Nominees should exemplify:

  • Innovation & Creativity – Introduces new or creative ways to address climate challenges
  • Depth of Reach – Grounded in and responsive to local community needs
  • Scale of Impact – Demonstrates clear, measurable impact so far
  • Leadership & Influence – Mobilises others and drives change through education, advocacy, or storytelling
  • Shifting Systems – Sparks broader change in policy, institutions, or culture

 

This award aligns with Wedu’s 2025–2027 strategic goal of empowering 1,000 women leaders in South and Southeast Asia have the skills, resources, and networks to drive climate-resilient solutions by 2027 and the sub-goal of a minimum of 180 women who are creating climate-resilient solutions, are engaged through Wedu Local Chapter communities in India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. 

Uplifts the often-unseen leadership at the heart of homes, communities, and economies.

This award recognises women whose leadership emerges through care—whether as parents, domestic workers, nurses, community caregivers, or family supporters. Whether paid or unpaid, formal or informal, their work sustains families, builds resilience, and enables the functioning of society. This award redefines care as powerful leadership, essential to every aspect of life, and celebrates women whose care creates deep social impact.

Note: We recognise that caregiving impact comes in varied forms, can be deeply personal and often difficult to quantify in conventional ways. Nominees will be evaluated not by numbers alone, but by the meaning, depth, and context of their care as described through their stories and community connections.

Nominees should exemplify: 

  • Sustained Dedication – Ongoing commitment to caregiving over time
  • Personal Story & Motivation – A powerful personal reason behind their care
  • Depth & Breadth of Impact – Meaningful change, as defined by the nominee
  • Self-Care & Resilience – Practices that sustain their ability to care
  • Equity & Inclusion (Optional) – Care that uplifts those often left out

 

This award aligns with Wedu’s 2025–2027 strategic goal of recognising unpaid care work as a critical factor in advancing women’s leadership, by women leaders and our allies. By the end of 2027, a minimum of 180 women who are affected by multiple care burdens, are engaged in Wedu Local Chapter community conversations and events in India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

Celebrates women leading boldly in business.

This award recognises exceptional women leaders driving innovation, resilience, and impact through Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The Trailblazing MSMEs Award honours individuals who not only lead successful enterprises but also create meaningful economic opportunities within their communities, breaking barriers for more women to grow their financial capital.

Nominees should exemplify:

  • Entrepreneurial excellence and sustainability in their business model
  • Commitment to community upliftment through job creation, mentorship, or social impact
  • Demonstrated growth or resilience in the face of structural or financial challenges
  • Engagement with Wedu’s capacity-building, education financing, or leadership development initiatives

This award aligns with Wedu’s 2025–2027 strategic goal of empowering 1,000 women leaders through targeted support for MSMEs. It highlights and elevates the critical role that women entrepreneurs play in driving inclusive economic development.

 

Honours mentors who champion gender parity and uplift the next generation of women leaders.

This award recognises individuals in the Wedu community who, through mentorship, advocacy, and consistent support, demonstrate a deep commitment to advancing gender equality. As allies, they play a critical role in challenging bias, creating access, and building inclusive leadership spaces where women can thrive.

Nominees should exemplify:

  • Dedication to mentorship – Shows long-term commitment to mentoring and supporting women’s growth
  • Advocacy for Gender Parity – Actively promotes gender equality in daily life and public spaces
  • Impact on Mentee’s Life – Has made a meaningful difference in a mentee’s personal or professional journey
  • Strength of Mentee Endorsement – Deeply respected and appreciated by those they’ve mentor

 

 

Nominations close on 31st July 2025.

Please ensure all sections are complete before submitting.

Questions? Reach out to: community@weduglobal.org

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