Shakhnoza Mirziyoyeva Honoured With Inaugural Time Africa Vanguard Award For Social Protection Leadership

Presented by TIME Africa during the World Summit in Uzbekistan on 21 October 2026, the inaugural award recognises Shakhnoza Mirziyoyeva’s commitment to protecting vulnerable communities, empowering women and children, and advancing human dignity.

Shakhnoza Mirziyoyeva has received the inaugural TIME Africa Vanguard Award, presented as part of an activation developed and delivered by TIME Africa, an independent newsroom in collaboration with TIME. The award recognises her leadership in advancing social protection, strengthening safeguards for women, children and families, supporting vulnerable communities and widening access to opportunity.

Presented during the World Summit in Uzbekistan, the award celebrates individuals whose leadership, courage and commitment help safeguard our shared humanity. It honours those working to protect human dignity, advance peace and unity, expand opportunity and create the conditions for individuals and communities to prosper.

The award presentation followed a powerful poetry performance by Maryam Hassan Baker, the first-ever UN Global Peace Advocate, whose words called for a break from established patterns and a renewed commitment to protecting the potential of future generations.

“Break the old patterns: the girl beside you holds the future like a promise waiting to be fulfilled. Do not look away.”

The poem set a poignant tone for the presentation, reinforcing the importance of safeguarding the rights and potential of women and girls and creating opportunities for future generations. Its message reflected the central principles of the Vanguard Award: compassion, human dignity, protection and the belief that meaningful progress must create a safer and more inclusive future for all.

Commenting on the recognition, Josh Wilson, Managing Director of TIME Africa, said:

“At TIME Africa, we believe in the African philosophy of Ubuntu, ‘I am because we are,’ which reminds us that our humanity is defined by how we care for one another. In recognising Shakhnoza Mirziyoyeva, we celebrate her commitment to protecting the vulnerable, empowering women and children, and advancing human dignity. Her work, alongside Uzbekistan’s broader efforts to support women and young people, including those in Afghanistan, reflects the universal values of compassion, community and shared humanity that we seek to champion around the world.”

The inaugural award recognises Mirziyoyeva’s work in advancing social protection, including efforts to strengthen safeguards for women, children and families, support vulnerable communities and widen access to opportunity. Her recognition reflects TIME Africa’s commitment to celebrating leadership that helps safeguard humanity and build a more inclusive future.

At its heart, the TIME Africa Vanguard Award celebrates individuals at the forefront of meaningful progress. Its guiding principles include compassion, human dignity, protection, opportunity, shared prosperity and peaceful coexistence. Through public service, social reform and other forms of leadership, its recipients demonstrate that lasting progress is measured by the lives protected and the possibilities created for others.

Through this inaugural presentation in Uzbekistan, TIME Africa seeks to spotlight leadership that transcends borders and reflects the universal values of compassion, community and shared humanity.

This activation was developed and delivered by TIME Africa, an independent newsroom in collaboration with TIME.