Young Women in Public Affairs Award

Though about 40% of the world’s workforce is women, according to data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, only 25.7% of all national parliamentarians were female as of 1 September 2021. Because Zonta International believes that young women are the key to women’s advancement in the field of public service, it offers the Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award, which recognizes young women, ages 16-19, for demonstrating leadership skills and commitment to public service and civic causes, and encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life.

Established in 1990 by Past International President Leneen Forde, Zonta has given 1,091 awards, US$1,488,750, to 919 young women from 61 countries.

The program operates at the Zonta club, district/region and international levels. Zonta International offers 37 international awards of US$5,000. Each district/region may submit one applicant for consideration for an international scholarship. The five largest districts may submit a second applicant for a total of two applicants.

ELIGIBILITY

Women, aged 16-19 on 1 April each year, studying at a secondary school, college or university in a Zonta district/region, or who are studying elsewhere but are citizens of a Zonta country, who demonstrate evidence of the following, are eligible to apply. 

• Active commitment to volunteerism.
• Experience in local government, student government, or workplace leadership (paid or unpaid).
• Volunteer leadership achievements.
• Knowledge of Zonta International and its programs.
• Support in Zonta International's mission of building a better world for women and girls.

Applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district/region where no clubs are located may apply via a Zonta e-club or directly to the district to be eligible for the international awards. Previous district and international Young Women in Public Affairs Award recipients are not eligible to apply to renew the Award for a second year.

Club members and individuals with direct membership with Zonta International and employees of Zonta International and Zonta Foundation for Women, and their family members (ancestors, descendants, adoptees, siblings, nieces or cousins, and those of their spouse or co-habiting partner), are not eligible to apply for the Awards.

Z and Golden Z club members are also eligible to apply.

Application Process

The application process must start with a Zonta club. All application materials must be received at a Zonta club by the printed deadline. If you downloaded the application from the Zonta International website, you must contact a Zonta club for deadline information.

Zonta clubs each select one application to send to the Zonta governor/region representative. A district/region evaluating committee reviews the applications and selects one applicant per district/region to submit to Zonta International Headquarters. The five largest districts in terms of Zonta membership may submit a second applicant to Zonta International Headquarters. The Zonta International Headquarters team confirms the eligibility of the applicants put forth by the districts/region and submits a recommendation to the Zonta International Board (or the Executive Committee acting on its behalf) for final approval. If approved by the Zonta International Board, the Zonta Foundation for Women provides awards and certificates to the international recipients.