Deadline: January 21, 2018
Applications are open for the African Movement for Democracy (AMD) Fellowship for Emerging Young Women Leaders in Africa. The Fellowship supports young female activists and organizers aspiring to run for political office in their countries by facilitating access to capacity building and mentoring opportunities in four principal training hubs: Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia. The fellowship aims to enrich understanding of youth-led approaches to change while connecting participants to accomplished female mentors and resources.
Fellowship Details
Fellows will typically spend 4 days of training in any of the aforementioned training hubs acquiring skills and connecting with key leaders locally. Participation in the program affords emerging young female political aspirants an unparalleled opportunity to build networks and deepen understanding of the working of the political process. This is also an opportunity where they can leverage intergenerational knowledge and experiences, and identify pathways for transition into political leadership.
Equal opportunity for leadership does not imply that women should be handed roles they are unqualified for, but rather presents the need for an equal playing field in leadership opportunities. The stereotypes of being both young and female reinforce patriarchal misconceptions that narrowly paint women as abject, nurturers, emotional, and bearers of culture; and youth as being uninformed and inexperienced, thus, deeming public and political spaces inappropriate and unfitting for young women to traverse. Given this reality, in a context where advancing women’s political participation is crucial for delivering on the SDGs, our core conviction is that training young women in political participation at an early juncture in their careers will serve as a catalyst for ensuring women’s full and effective political engagement and equal opportunities for leadership.
Between February and June, 2018, the AMD will support 4 emerging young women political leaders by covering the cost (including round trip tickets and lodging) of participating at any of the four aforementioned training hubs. Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, socio-economic status or disability.
Eligibility
The Emerging Young Women Leaders Fellowship is open to young African women leaders who meet the following criteria:
- Are under the age of 35;
- Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English or French;
- Demonstrate knowledge, interest, and professional experience in the area of democracy;
- Have a proven record of leadership and accomplishment in democratic/political activism at the local, national, or regional level;
- Be ready to take advantage of the resources and networks which the program offers;
- Present a (tentative) strategy and roadmap for political engagement;
Application
- Submit two recommendation letters
The AMD reserves the right to verify all of the information included in the application. In the event that there is a discrepancy, or information is found to be false, the application will immediately be declared invalid and the applicant ineligible.
Click here to fill Application form.
For more information, visit AMD Fellowship.
