Amanda Amaeshi, an award-winning activist, campaigner, and writer, has been named My Life My Say’s ‘Changemaker of the Year’ for 2024.
Amaeshi’s work entails gender equality, anti-racism, and youth voices.
The award, decided by public vote, was announced at My Life My Say’s ‘Next Generation conference,’ held on November 22 at the Barbican Centre in London.
The conference—an annual highlight of the youth-led, nonpartisan charity’s activities—brought hundreds of young people alongside renowned speakers, activists, and politicians together to explore innovative solutions to some of society’s biggest challenges.
Amaeshi was announced the winner from a shortlist of inspiring changemakers across youth leadership, social enterprise, climate activism, media, and culture.
A final-year law student at University College London (UCL), Amaeshi has consistently used her voice to influence policy and advocate for social justice.
In 2017, she won the ‘Young reporters for the environment’ competition for her writing on food waste solutions in Scotland.
Her advocacy journey gained momentum when she became a Year of Young People 2018 ambassador, advocating for youth rights and participation in politics—important issues in Scotland.
In 2020, she was featured on the Young Women’s Movement’s 30 Under 30 list and was honoured as the Glasgow Times ‘Young Scotswoman of the year’.
In 2022, she was listed in the WOW Foundation’s young leaders’ directory.
As a member of Girlguiding’s national advocate panel, Amaeshi has spoken out on issues affecting girls and young women in the UK and has engaged audiences of chief executive officers (CEOs), politicians, and decision-makers.
“Winning is an honour, as I’ve said, but it’s even more of an honour to have a platform to share what I’ve done with others, perhaps with those who otherwise wouldn’t have known because, really, this award’s not about me: it’s about the work that I’ve done, the work that I do together with other people, and its positive impact for society at large,” she said while accepting the 2024 award.
Amaeshi serves on Scotland’s first minister’s national advisory council on women and girls (NACWG), engaging in collaborative intersectional policy scrutiny.
[TheCable]