THE 2026 EDITION

The SWA 2026 Awards

The fifth edition of Somali Women Awards recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions across categories spanning leadership, education, science, healthcare, humanitarian service, enterprise, sustainability, sport and media. Recognition considers pioneering achievement, professional excellence and transformational contribution, assessed through documented evidence and category-specific criteria. These are distinct forms of merit; no candidate is expected to satisfy every form. The 2026 program is designed around confidential professional referrals, verification, and independent assessment—not public nominations or popularity voting.

AWARD CATEGORIES

Discover the categories

Each category is identified by its approved 2026 code and name.

C01

Leadership & Public Service

6 criteria

C02

Education & Research

5 criteria

C03

Engineering, Science & Technology

5 criteria

C04

Health & Medicine

5 criteria

C05

Humanitarian Service & Social Impact

5 criteria

C06

Entrepreneurship & Economic Empowerment

5 criteria

C07

Environment & Sustainable Development

5 criteria

C08

Sports & Athletic Achievement

5 criteria

C09

Journalism & Public Interest Media

5 criteria

C10

Digital Media & Social Impact

5 criteria

HOW RECOGNITION IS EVALUATED

2026 assessment criteria

Public explanation of the authorized rubric. This is not a scoring or judging interface.

C01

Leadership & Public Service

Six criteria · 100 points in total

Demonstrated impact25 pts
Verified achievements20 pts
Leadership and professional excellence20 pts
Sustainability and lasting contribution15 pts
Innovation and overcoming significant challenges10 pts
Pioneering Leadership & Professional Advancement10 pts

All other released categories

All other categories

Five criteria · 100 points in total

Demonstrated impact30 pts
Verified achievements25 pts
Leadership and professional excellence20 pts
Sustainability and lasting contribution15 pts
Innovation and overcoming significant challenges10 pts

Recognition of merit

Pioneering achievement, professional excellence and transformational contribution are distinct ways a nominee may demonstrate merit. A nominee is not required to demonstrate all three. Pioneering credit is not automatic and must not duplicate professional-excellence credit.