Applications for the TuWezeshe Akina Dada Fellowship are now closed.
The TuWezeshe Akina Dada Fellowship is a feminist leadership and mentoring programme for young women of African and Caribbean heritage who are interested in advancing women’s rights and gender equality, particularly, ending violence against women and girls. The one-year TuWezeshe Fellowship offers young women knowledge on violence against women and girls, leadership skills and mentoring support to implement a Social Action Project.
FORWARD, in partnership with our partner organisations including Sub–Saharan Advisory Panel (Wales), Akina Mama wa Afrika (Uganda), Child Dignity Forum (Tanzania), Refugee Women of Bristol (Bristol) and The Angelou Centre (Newcastle) have trained 186 Fellows In East Africa and the UK.
As part of FORWARD’s commitment to improving the visibility and profile of young Black women leaders, TuWezeshe Fellows are at forefront of the global movement on VAWG and network with other inspiring young women leaders across the UK and Africa; sharing ideas, voices, and stories on a range of national and international platforms.
Who can apply?
The TuWezeshe London Fellowship is open to women of African and/or Caribbean heritage living in England aged 18 -26 years who have an interest, or are currently working, in the field of ending violence against women. Successful applicants must be willing to participate in all aspects of the Fellowship and be prepared to commit to the one-year Fellowship Programme. In addition to meeting the initial criteria, we are looking for individuals with the following characteristics:
- Ability to develop new and innovative ideas and seize opportunities to enhance the campaign on Violence against women and girls
- Passion for advocating for the rights, equality, and dignity of women and girls
- Empathy for African/Caribbean women and communities, particularly women and girls left behind through multiple discrimination.
- Self-starter, motivated, able to give direction and willing to be guided
- Commitment to FORWARD’s values and vision and a commitment to diversity and equality in working relationships and practice
- Awareness of the issues and social constructs that impact African/Caribbean women’s health and wellbeing
- Good written and verbal communication in English
- Excellent time management and a strong sense of initiative
‘All that young women need is to believe in their capacity to change the world. Before joining TuWezeshe I was passionate about making a change but I didn’t know how. TuWezeshe has enabled me to believe in my abilities and improved my capacity to lead and influence changes in the community’ – Tanzania Fellow
The Fellowship Model
Residential Training
The Fellowship will commence with an all-inclusive residential leadership training in London, taking place from 30th August – 2nd September. Participants will engage with key concepts essential to leadership on women’s rights including human rights, gender equality, violence against women and girls, feminist leadership principles, sexual and reproductive health rights, and developing social action and effective project management.
Social Action Project
Fellows will receive a seed grant of £250 to pursue and implement a social action project. Projects should fall under the overall theme of ‘Ending violence against women and girls’:
- Research
- Community Mobilisation
- Policy Advocacy and Human Rights
- Youth Outreach
- Creative and Performance Arts
- Communications and Media
Previous projects include: Kuphiliswa – Arts Therapy workshops in South Africa and Swaziland for survivors of domestic violence (UK Fellow); A Mile Together – Fun run in Zimbabwe, raising awareness on gender-based violence (UK Fellow); Prevention of Client Initiated Sexual and Gender-Based Violence among Female Sex Workers – Sexual and reproductive health rights workshops for sex workers in Uganda (Uganda Fellow); Street Harassment: Nairobi Style– Documentary set in Kenya (UK Fellow).
Mentoring Programme
Participants will be paired with a female mentor who will support and guide them throughout the year-long Fellowship. Fellows and Mentors will be partnered based on interests and experience. Previous TuWezeshe Mentors have come from varying backgrounds and professional experiences including the civil service, the legal profession, NGO professionals, art curators, and media among others. The rich network of mentors ensures that TuWezeshe Fellows gain first-hand experience and unique insights into the work currently being done at the forefront of SGBV activism.
Benefits and Commitment
Benefits
- £250 seed grant to implement a self-selected Social Action Project on a VAWG related issue
- Mentorship with an established-woman leader in a related field
- Become part of the TuWezeshe alumni network of over 180 Fellows in the UK and Africa
- Access to ‘Leadership Plus’ and advocacy action at local, national and international level on VAWG and international development
Expected Commitment
- Residential training 30th August – 2nd September 2019, London
- Monthly online communication with FORWARD staff (in person or online)
- Minimum monthly communication with your mentor
- Quarterly progress reviews
- Complete a self-selected social action project
- Cascade knowledge learned to at least 10 other young women/girls
- Complete monitoring and evaluation activities
How to apply
Please send the below information to [email protected] via WeTransfer by 19th August 2019:
- Your Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A Cover Letter no longer than two pages outlining:
– Why you want to join the TuWezeshe Fellowship
– Why you would make an outstanding candidate for the Fellowship - And a 2 minute video outlining:
– An area of violence against women and girls that you are interested in addressing and why;
– A brief description of a Social Action Project you would be interested in implementing
*The quality of your video will not impact the outcome of your application, however, we ask that the audio is clear*
Extended deadline for applications: 19th August 2019
Interviews: 21st – 22nd August 2019
Notice for successful applicants: 23rd August 2019
Residential Training: 30th August – 2nd September 2019
Please note that the London call for the TuWezeshe Akina Dada Africa-UK Young Women’s Empowerment Movement is run by the Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development (FORWARD). For further details please email [email protected].
Find out more about the impact of the TuWezeshe Young Women’s Leadership Programme
