Deadline: January 12, 2018
Application is ongoing for the Leadership and Advocacy for Women in Africa (LAWA) Fellowship Program at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC. The Fellowship seeks to train women’s human rights lawyers from Africa who are committed to returning home to their countries to advance the status of women and girls throughout their careers.
Throughout their time in Washington, D.C., the LAWA Fellows also participate in bi-weekly seminars and professional development training with their American counterparts in the Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program, where they discuss key women’s rights issues with prominent government and public interest leaders. They attend related events, such as Supreme Court and Congressional Briefings on significant women’s rights issues.
The relationships that the LAWA attorneys build with their American contacts and government leaders, together with their legal training and enhanced computer research and technology skills, provide the ability to draw upon vastly expanded legal networks and resources upon their return to Africa.
Cost
- The LAWA Fellowship provides the tuition for the Foundations of American Law and Legal Education Course (a U.S. $2,200 benefit) and for the LL.M. degree (a U.S. $46,865 benefit) at the Georgetown University Law Center, as well as professional development training;
- Candidates who are admitted to the LAWA Program must be prepared to cover the costs of all additional expenses (such as their visas, travel, housing, utilities, food, clothing, health insurance, books, etc.), and must be able to demonstrate to the U.S. Embassy for visa purposes that they have the funds available to cover those expenses (approximately $28,000).
Eligibility
- Applicant must be a women’s human rights lawyer from Africa in order to be considered;
- You must hold an LL.B. or other law degree. Preference is given to those who are currently living and working in Africa, and do not already have a Masters’ Degree;
- You must have strong English language skills, both written and oral;
- As a requirement of participation in the LAWA Program, all applicants must commit to return home to their own countries upon completion of the Fellowship, and to use their best professional efforts to advance women’s human rights in their counties throughout their careers;
- Men who are committed to women’s rights are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application
- Download the application form and prepare the following documents:
- Current Resume or CV, indicating:
- your employment history, including both paid and volunteer positions, including the name of your employer, location of your employment (city, country), dates of your employment (start and end dates), and description of your work for each position you have held;
- your education from high school to the present, including the name and location (city, country) of the institution, dates attended (including date of graduation), degree awarded, grade point average or your class rank and number of students, and your participation in any extracurricular activities;
- titles of any published materials (articles, books, reports, etc.) or significant research papers;
- any special honors, awards, scholarships, or fellowships; and
- any memberships in organizations or community activities in which you have been involved, including any leadership roles.
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Official Transcript from the institution granting your law degree
- Completed applications including all three essay questions must be sent via e-mail to [email protected] by Friday, January 12, 2018. Letters of recommendation may be scanned and sent as e-mail attachments (preferred), or may be mailed separately.
For more information, see FAQ or visit LAWA Fellowship Program.
