Gender Mainstreaming Awards Application Process
Business Engage invites entries for the 14th Africa Gender Mainstreaming Awards, a distinguished platform recognising outstanding contributions to gender mainstreaming across the region. We welcome applications from individuals for the three individual award categories, as well as from organisations seeking to participate in one or more of the diverse corporate award categories.
There is no cost to submit an application, however finalists are required to attend the Awards ceremonies.
Steps involved in the application process:
Step 1
Nominate an Individual
Individual Excellence
Nominate a Company
Company Excellence
Step 2
Provincial semi-finals, September 2026
(Refer to our awards criteria)
Step 3
Shortlisted companies and individual semi-final individuals are interviewed by the judges
August-October.
Mainstreaming Gender and Disability
Southern Africa 1 Oct
East Africa 2 Oct
West Africa 2 Oct
Empowerment of Women in the Community
Southern Africa 14 Oct
East Africa 15 Oct
West Africa 16 Oct
Economic Empowerment
Southern Africa 19 Oct
East Africa 20 Oct
West Africa 21 Oct
Equal Representation and Participation
Southern Africa 22 Oct
East Africa 23 Oct
West Africa 26 Oct
Women Empowerment in the Workplace
Southern Africa 27 Oct
East Africa 28 Oct
West Africa 29 Oct
Positive Role Model
Southern Africa 13/14 Aug
East Africa 27/28 Aug
West Africa 25/26 Aug
Inclusive Leader
Southern Africa 18 Aug
East Africa 27/28 Aug
West Africa 25/26 Aug
Women on Boards & Women on Executive Committees
Southern Africa 5 Nov
East Africa 6 Nov
West Africa 9 Nov
Investing in Young Women
Southern Africa 2 Nov
East Africa 3 Nov
West Africa 4 Nov
Step 4
Regional Finalists announced by 15 Nov 2026
Please Note:
Preference will be given to those who have submitted nominations and nominees when allocating seating at the semi-finals.
Finalists submit hi-res company logo and/or hi-res photos.
Finalists agree to use of logos and photos for marketing purposes (specifications to be provided).
Step 5
Gender Mainstreaming Awards: February 2027
Terms and conditions
We reserve the right to:
- increase the number of days for judging and
- increase the categories and allocate additional judges,
- merge and/or split the categories where appropriate, depending on the number of shortlisted companies.
It is a condition of entry that the finalists attend the Awards event Gender Mainstreaming Champion attends the following event as Ambassadors and hands over the Gender Mainstreaming Trophy to the next winner as per the precedent set by the previous winners.
Business Engage will meet with the Gender Mainstreaming Champions to discuss process.