Contest Overview
Essay Contest Overview
The GlobalWE Essay Contest was established to invite students to think critically about the status and rights of women. In most regions, we work in partnership with local schools. The contest is open to 11th grade students in partnership schools around the world, including schools in Turkey, Pakistan, Chicago, Connecticut, Los Angeles, Mexico, and the Philippines (eligibility may vary by location).
Generally, GlobalWE chooses one winner per school, though there are occasional ties and honorable mentions. Winners receive recognition on our website, the GlobalWE Book Award, and the opportunity to have their essays published online. All essays are saved by GlobalWE for future use including potential publication.
The GlobalWe Essay Contest prize is unrelated to Harvard College recruiting efforts.
Essay Contest Question
For the essay contest, students must answer this question: “What is the biggest challenge facing women and girls in your country today?”
The Harvard GlobalWE Board and its essay contest team judge entries on how well they identify the chosen challenge, explain the problems, convey the ideas with emotional power, and identify potential solutions. Essays will be judged on focus, content, organization, accuracy, language use, vocabulary, style, and grammar and mechanics.
Rules and Submission
Essays must have a limit of 750 words and be saved as a PDF.
Based on your location, submit your essay through the United States or International form.
Harvard GlobalWE's Statement of Political Neutrality
We strive to carry out our mission in a way that is politically neutral. We are dedicated to education, with a core focus on nurturing a community of people devoted to empowering women around the world. GlobalWE welcomes and embraces all who choose to join us, regardless of political or ideological perspectives. We sincerely and enthusiastically welcome all who want to learn about the freedom, rights, and empowerment of women and girls.
You can read more about GlobalWE's political neutrality here.
Essay Contest Map
Countries where we have had contests in the past or have them currently are on the map.
As of November 2021