Announcing the 2025 MECCA Prize and an Additional $10 Million Commitment to Gender Equality

October 6 | 4 minute read

Words by MECCA

MECCA is proud to launch a bold new commitment, shaping a more equal future for girls.

Ahead of International Day of the Girl (11 October), we’re announcing a long-term commitment designed to accelerate progress towards gender equality. These commitments reflect MECCA’s belief that beauty, in all its forms, can be a powerful lens through which to shift systems, challenge stereotypes and elevate new ideas – and that investing in women and girls is one of the most powerful ways to shape the future. Each initiative builds on MECCA M-POWER’s existing $25 million commitment to champion a global network of partners driving real change for women and girls.

$10 Million Over 10 Years

Firstly, we’re pledging $10 million over 10 years to Co-Impact's Gender Fund, an organisation that brings together local changemakers and global funders to shift the systems that hold women and girls back in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Our commitment will help scale practical, locally-led solutions in education, health and economic opportunity – challenging harmful gender norms and creating measurable, generational change. “We are delighted that MECCA is joining us in advancing the leadership and vision of local organisations driving systemic change where it matters most,” said Olivia Leland, Founder & CEO, Co-Impact.

The 2025 MECCA Prize

In addition, today we launch the inaugural MECCA Prize, an annual award that recognises the people and projects driving bold, lasting progress towards gender equality (think MECCA's version of Australian of the Year!). Over the course of the year, MECCA will work closely with each recipient to shine a light on and support their work and share their ideas with our community and beyond.

MECCA Prize for Technology Innovation
Associate Professor Helen Frazer

Pioneering breast cancer clinician Associate Professor Helen Frazer is using AI to improve early detection, helping deliver lifesaving care and improved treatment outcomes for women. “Having clinicians working with AI is a powerful combination,” explains Prof. Frazer. “We now envision a future where every woman understands their breast cancer risk, screening is personalised and precise, and many more lives are saved with early detection.”

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MECCA Prize for Science and Sport
Dr. Stacy Sims

Aotearoa (New Zealand)'s Dr Stacy Sims is giving women and girls back control of their health by rewriting the science of female physiology; and, through her NEXT Gen program, is equipping girls to make informed choices about health, performance and wellbeing. "With programs like NEXT Gen, I’m thrilled to be working with MECCA to cut through the taboos around puberty, periods, and performance, and to empower girls, their parents, coaches, and mentors to help young women thrive and keep loving the sports they play,” she says.

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MECCA Prize for Cultural Inquiry
Katy Hessel

We are celebrating art historian Katy Hessel's work to rewrite women’s voices back into history - including reframing beauty's role as part of the MECCA Archive, and uncovering how it has shaped gender norms throughout time. "Looking at art from a broad perspective expands our ideas of the stories that exist in this world, and the more we share these, the more people will feel seen," shares Hessel, adding, "It's not unlike cosmetics and makeup: the more we see different people experimenting, the richer our idea of beauty becomes. With the MECCA Prize, I am excited to explore the spectrum of these worlds in depth.”

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Our Legacy, Built to Last

These announcements mark a pivotal moment in MECCA’s commitment to advancing gender equality. "On this International Day of the Girl – at a time when women’s voices are still too often erased or ignored - MECCA is doubling down on our commitment to creating a more equal future," says Jo Horgan, MECCA Founder and Co-CEO. "Through the MECCA Prize and with Co-Impact joining our M-POWERed Collective, we are standing shoulder to shoulder with the women building what comes next. From transforming health systems to rewriting cultural narratives, these changemakers are challenging the status quo – and redefining what the future could be for women and girls."

Stay tuned throughout the year as we share more from the MECCA Prize recipients - their milestones, ideas and the impact they’re creating.