Apolitical has published the inaugural list of the 100 most influential people working in gender policy, the first-ever global initiative of this kind. It honours and celebrates the women and men making the world a more equitable place, whether they do so through policymaking, research, philanthropy or advocacy.

• For more like this, see our gender equality newsfeed.

Some of those on the list — like Justin Trudeau, Malala Yousafzai and Melinda Gates — already receive their fair share of public adulation and awards. But many others on the list have driven profound change for women and men around the world in quieter ways and with less recognition.

Very happy to have been named @apoliticalco's 100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy 2018 alongside our incredible Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Africa, @JahaENDFGM

We are so grateful for your advocacy! https://t.co/0hRoQmsMP2 pic.twitter.com/IVRPmOWAI2

— Phumzile Mlambo (@phumzileunwomen) May 24, 2018

The top 20 includes Harvard behavioural scientist Iris Bohnet, Gary Barker — a world-leading advocate for involving more men in gender equality — and Sarah Degnan Kambou, President of the International Center For Research on Women (ICRW).

“It’s time to celebrate the people making our societies fairer and better to live in for everybody,” said Apolitical CEO Robyn Scott.

Gracias por el reconocimiento, @apoliticalco. ¡Un honor ser parte de este gran grupo de mujeres y hombres que trabajamos día a día, en distintas partes del mundo, a favor de la equidad de género! ✊🏽💜 https://t.co/JITPQHilWh

— Michelle Bachelet (@mbachelet) May 23, 2018

The list was constructed based on nominations from dozens of gender experts from leading organisations, which were compared with research by our own reporters and editors.

The list was shared by the World Bank, UN Women, former president of Chile Michelle Bachelet, and Sweden’s foreign ministry — among hundreds of others.

Phumzile Mlambo-Nguka, Executive Director of UN Women, said she was “excited to be included on Apolitical’s 100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy in 2018 alongside some of the most incredible women and men from around the world.”

Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada, said: "An impressive group here that I’m honoured to be named alongside – and to work with every day in our Cabinet and on the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council. Merci à tous pour votre travail acharné et votre engagement envers l’égalité des sexes."

.@WorldBank Group Senior Director for Gender, @CarenGrown, has been recognized by @apoliticalco as one of the world's 100 Most Influential People Working in Gender Policy: https://t.co/oJYcGBy9hq

Congratulations to Caren and all of the #GenderPolicyInfluencers! pic.twitter.com/dsUeE6rn1J

— World Bank (@WorldBank) May 23, 2018

Also on the list is Costa Rica's former Minister of the Status of Women, Alejandra Mora Mora, who said the list was "a recognition that motivates me even more to continue with my work in defence of women's rights".

And former prime minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, pointed to the future. “Very honoured to be included in this list of leaders for gender equality. I look forward to continuing this important work with the Global Institute for Women's Leadership,” a new initiative she is part of at King’s College London.

UN Women and the World Bank issued press releases congratulating the experts included, as did Iceland’s government, Australia’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency, Harvard’s Women in Public Policy Program, the International Center for Research on Women, Promundo and the Wilson Center.

The list was also written up in several global news publications, including in Costa Rica, Chile, Sweden, Iceland and Ukraine.

This Gender Policy Top 100 is the first list of its kind, and will be repeated on an annual basis. Nominations are already rolling in for next year. While there will be a formal process nearer the time, please feel free to start sending suggestions for those you think must be included to Eve Powell (eve.powell@apolitical.co).

Three of these wonderful ladies together! Get ready world... pic.twitter.com/yNEVEuS3VH

— Patricia V Griffith (@pvgriffith) May 23, 2018