Action 10 is an advocacy group lobbying for the eradication of gender inequality.
Action 10 works by harnessing the collective energies of select young leaders to steer the conversation around equality in their respective corners of the world, leveraging the One Young World network and Queen’s Commonwealth Trust channels to amplify their messages and influence decision makers.
Whether related to education, health, access to employment or simply the right to exist, this group advocates for a fairer, more inclusive, world.
How Action 10 formed
Action 10 came together thanks to the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. On the final day of the One Young World 2019 Summit, the Duchess invited the 10 young leaders to Windsor Castle for a roundtable discussion focussed on the state of gender equality today. Joined by the Duke of Sussex, the group shared their achievements and best practices in addressing the complexities of gender equality in their respective communities. Together they forged a commitment to support eachother’s work in an increasingly challenging world.
Action 10 was supported at Windsor Castle by One Young World Counsellors Mark Tewksbury and Rossana Burgos.
Defining gender equality
Gender equality and inclusion form the bedrock of sustainable human development. Action 10 wants to build a common future where openness about gender and sexual orientation does not limit anyone’s ability to progress or present the risk of violence and abuse. Action 10 is striving for a world with equitable economic participation, political opportunity, educational attainment, and access to good health and wellbeing, where all individuals can live with dignity and respect.
Action 10 is inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goal 10 of Reducing Inequalities.
About the leaders
Amir Ashour, Iraq
Founder & Executive Director, IraQueer
IraQueer is Iraq’s first and only LGBT+ organisation which focuses on education, advocacy, and providing direct services for LGBT+ Iraqis. Amir is a human rights defender with 10 years of experience working with Iraqi and international organizations on gender equality issues and with sex workers.
Gulnahar Mahbub Monika, Bangladesh
Co-Founder, Deshi Ballers
A player on the Bangladesh National Basketball Team, Gulnahar founded Deshi Ballers. Their mission is to develop female youth players in Bangladesh and offer them opportunities to learn and play basketball whilst instilling essential life-lessons.
Megan Iha, Papua New Guinea
Program Officer, CARE PNG
Megan delivers gender-equity and diversity workshops in remote areas where traditional gender roles are often enforced. Her workshops enable women to have increased power across economic, political and social spheres at their community level.
Donnya Piggott, Barbados
Founder, Pink Coconuts & Co-Founder, B-GLAD
Pink Coconuts is a solution that can create not only direct employment but an ecosystem and an environment where LGBT+ inclusion is important to all. B-GLAD is an LGBT+ advocacy organisation and an advocate in Barbados working to bring anti-discrimination legislation in the workplace.
Amanda Scott, Grenada
Founder, Fireflies
Amanda is the Founder of Fireflies, a women-led initiative dedicated to the empowerment of girls. Building on her experience as a teacher, Amanda focuses on the holistic development of girls aged 6-13 and the role that education can play in poverty alleviation. She is a former CARICOM Youth Ambassador.
Lebogang Bogopane, South Africa
Founder, Mothotlung Network Against Women and Children Abuse
Mothotlung Network has impacted thousands of women and children via trauma support and prevention programs including their crisis centre, trauma counselling training, and job support.
Gideon Olanrewaju, Nigeria
Chief Executive Director, AREAi
Gideon established the Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative (AREAi) to improve access to quality of education for poor and vulnerable children across rural communities in South-Western Nigeria. As the Executive Director, Gideon leads the design, implementation, and monitoring of accelerated learning programs that bridge the gaps between education and employability for out-of-school children.
Noriah Tadala Katungwe, Malawi
Founder and CEO, Moringa Women Project
Noriah leads a capacity building programme to promote financial independence among women in her community. She trains them to cultivate and sell Moringa leaves to create a steady income. In this process, they promote reforestation of local areas.
Dr Costase Ndayishimiye, Rwanda
Co-Founder, Strive for Health Rwanda
A Medical Doctor with over 5 years of experience, Costase advocates for gender equality and inclusive health care for poorly served people including those with disabilities, indigenous communities and adolescents. Costase uses an innovative approach to family planning advice, ensuring marginalised groups can participate in reproductive health education.
Sophie Maxwell, UK
Founder, The Really NEET Project
Having spent two years living on the streets as a teenager, Sophie founded The Really NEET Project, identifying key factors which prevented young people participating fully in school. She works to make education accessible to vulnerable young people aged between 16-24 years of age who have struggled to cope in mainstream education.