Deadline: 22-May-2026
The Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship Program is designed to strengthen leadership capacity among African women working in public health and global health systems. The programme focuses on advancing gender equity, improving health policy, and building equitable and inclusive health systems through leadership development, mentorship, and applied learning.
The fellowship creates structured opportunities for participants to develop leadership skills while contributing to real-world health system transformation.
Programme Objectives and Focus Areas
The fellowship focuses on:
- Gender equity and intersectional analysis in health systems
- Global health policy development and advocacy
- Leadership development and reflective leadership practices
- Mentorship and professional guidance
- Knowledge translation and evidence-to-policy pathways
- Conflict resolution and negotiation skills
- Socio-cultural influences on health policy
- Strengthening equitable health systems through practice and research
- Advancing women’s leadership in global health
Programme Structure
The fellowship runs for 12 months and is divided into three phases:
Phase One: Online Learning
- Global health and gender equity training
- Policy and knowledge translation sessions
- Reading assignments and reflective exercises
- Group work and collaboration activities
- Guest lectures from experts in the field
Phase Two: Blended Learning and In-Person Academy
- Continued online learning components
- One-week in-person leadership academy in Kenya
- Mentorship training sessions
- Mentor-mentee matching process
Phase Three: Mentorship and Leadership Project
- One-on-one mentorship support
- Development of a leadership project
- Presentation of leadership outcomes
- Exit interviews and programme completion
Participant Support and Benefits
Fellows receive:
- Expert-led training and workshops
- Personalized mentorship and career guidance
- Support in designing leadership projects
- Fully funded one-week in-person academy (transport, accommodation, meals covered)
- Financial stipend for participation-related costs such as childcare, elder care, or lost wages
- Access to an alumni and leadership network after completion
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Identify as women
- Be African nationals
- Reside and work in Kenya or South Africa
- Have 5–15 years of experience in public health
- Hold postgraduate qualifications in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Sciences, or related fields
- Work in health policy, practice, teaching, or research
- Demonstrate leadership experience or potential
- Be fluent in English
Additional requirements:
- Ability to attend the in-person academy in Kenya in 2027
- Valid passport for travel
- Employer support for participation in the fellowship
Programme Purpose and Impact
The fellowship aims to:
- Strengthen women’s leadership in global health systems
- Promote gender-responsive health policies
- Build capacity for equitable health system reform
- Support knowledge sharing and collaboration across Africa
- Enhance leadership pathways for women in public health
- Create long-term professional networks through alumni engagement
How the Fellowship Works
- Candidates apply based on eligibility and experience
- Selected fellows enter a structured 12-month programme
- Participants complete online learning modules
- Fellows attend an in-person leadership academy in Kenya
- Each fellow is paired with a mentor
- Participants develop and present a leadership project
- Graduates join an alumni network for continued engagement
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without required public health experience
- Not meeting geographic eligibility (Kenya or South Africa residency)
- Lack of postgraduate qualification in relevant fields
- Inability to commit to full 12-month programme structure
- No employer support for participation
- Missing passport or travel readiness requirements
Tips for a Strong Application
- Highlight leadership experience in public health settings
- Demonstrate commitment to gender equity and health systems change
- Clearly show policy, research, or practice contributions
- Emphasize community impact and advocacy work
- Provide strong examples of leadership potential
- Ensure eligibility criteria are fully met
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship Program?
- It is a 12-month leadership programme for African women in public health
- It focuses on gender equity and global health leadership development
- Who can apply?
- African women with 5–15 years of public health experience
- Must reside and work in Kenya or South Africa
- What does the fellowship include?
- Online learning, mentorship, and a one-week in-person academy in Kenya
- Leadership project development and networking
- Is the fellowship funded?
- Yes, it covers in-person training costs and provides a stipend for participation-related expenses
- Do applicants need postgraduate education?
- Yes, a postgraduate qualification in public health or related fields is required
Conclusion
The Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship Program empowers African women in public health to become leaders in gender-equitable health systems. Through structured learning, mentorship, and immersive training, it builds the skills, networks, and confidence needed to influence health policy and drive systemic change across Africa and beyond.
For more information, visit Dalla Lana School of Public Health.