2025-06-03

Grace Kouki from Botkyrka receives a large Zonta scholarship

Zonta International is now awarding 25 of its districts in as many countries a $5,000 scholarship each to encourage young women to take on leadership roles in their communities. Grace Kouki recently received the Young Women in Leadership Award, YWLA, from the Zonta Clubs of Stockholm and Lidingö. Now she will receive this larger scholarship
from Zonta District 21 (Sweden-Latvia). YWLA is awarded to girls aged 16–19 who have been involved in a public project or in a volunteer organization.

Passionate about women's rights

Grace Kouki,17 years old, who will soon finish year II of the social studies program at Tumba Gymnasium, is chairman of Botkyrka Municipality's youth council. In 2024, the municipality received the Youth Council of the Year award, which is presented by SwingBotkyrka Municipality writes:
Grace, representing the Youth Council, accepted the award and expressed her pride and joy at what the group has achieved together. They have invested a lot of time and energy in raising the position of young people and ensuring that the children's rights perspective is strengthened, including by inviting young people to meetings with politicians, civil servants and other decision-makers.

“I have always worked to make the world a better place for girls and women,” says Grace Kouki. I was the first 15-year-old to become an IT strategist intern in the municipal administration, which opened up opportunities for more girls there. In Björnsminioner, where I have been a leader for three years, my focus is on including more girls.

Grace has a long track record of serving as student safety officer, student council representative and student council chair. Growing up in a disadvantaged neighborhood has made her see the potential for change in getting involved at different levels in Botkyrka Municipality. Her role in strengthening the child rights perspective in various activities is well known there.

When Grace graduates from high school in 2026, she aims to pursue a career related to psychology/criminology.

You can read more about the large YWLA scholarship in the following links:

Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award – Zonta District 21
Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award – Zonta International