23 May 2022

The Queen presents the Decade Child Rights Hero award

On 23 May, The Queen took part in the World's Children's Prize award ceremony at Gripsholm Castle, where Malala Yousafzai Malik was named the Decade Child Rights Hero.

The Queen during the award ceremony for the World's Children's Prize at Gripsholm Castle.

The Queen during the award ceremony for the World's Children's Prize at Gripsholm Castle. Photo: Stefan Jerrevång/TT

Education activist and Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai Malik from Pakistan won the Global Vote, voted for by a million children, to win the Decade Child Rights Hero award. Back in 2014, Malala won the World's Children's Prize for her fight for all girls' right to an education and a life of freedom.

Malala Yousafzai Malik took part in the award ceremony via a video link.

Malala Yousafzai Malik took part in the award ceremony via a video link. Photo: Stefan Jerrevång/TT

The Queen also presented awards to representatives from the following organisations:

  • Shamwari Yemwanasikana (SYS) in Zimbabwe, which fights for girls' rights
  • SANTAC in Mozambique, which works to combat human trafficking in southern Africa
  • The Peace Park Foundation and the African Wildlife Fund, which work to fight poaching in southern Africa, cooperating with the World's Children's Prize to educate children growing up in the areas around southern Africa's national parks on children's rights, animal protection and climate change

South African singer Yanga Sobetwa was named World's Children's Prize Defender with a special mission to represent girls and their rights.

The Queen with singer Yanga Sobetwa, who was named a patron of the World's Children's Prize Foundation.

The Queen with singer Yanga Sobetwa, who was named a patron of the World's Children's Prize Foundation. Photo: Stefan Jerrevång/TT

The World's Children's Prize (WCP) is an education programme for children. Since the programme was founded in 2000, 45 million children – including more than half a million in Sweden – have been involved and have learnt about children's rights, democracy and global friendship.

Every year, the World's Children's Prize names a number of Child Rights Heroes who have made outstanding contributions for children – over a long period of time and under difficult conditions – based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The ultimate winner is chosen by children around the world via the Global Vote.

The Queen is one of the organisation's patrons.

Find out more about the World's Children's Prize here.

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