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 (VAWG). During the one-year Fellowship, Fellows are paired with an African or Caribbean woman leader who will support the Fellow in implementing a Social Action Project on violence against women and girls.
Mentorship is an integral part of the Fellowship. Fellows and Mentors collaborate and share their experiences to mutually further their professional and personal development within VAWG.
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 over 200 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 Mentors and Fellows are at the 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 Mentorship is open to women of African and/or Caribbean heritage living in England 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
- Previous experience in mentoring is desirable but not mandatory
- Excellent listener with strong ability to understand multiple perspectives
- Empathy for African/Caribbean women and communities, particularly women and girls left behind through multiple discrimination.
- Self-starter, motivated, able to give direction
- 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 well being
- Good written and verbal communication in English
- Excellent time management and a strong sense of initiative
The Fellowship Model
Residential Training
The 2019 Fellowship commenced with an all-inclusive residential leadership training in London on the 30th August – 2nd September. Participants engaged 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.
Having trained a group of phenomenal leaders the TuWezeshe Fellowship is in search of the next cohort of Tuwezeshe Mentors to guide and inspire our 2019 Fellows.
Mentoring Programme
Mentors will be paired with fellows to 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 provides fertile ground for tangible connections amongst Mentors and ensures Fellows gain unique insight into the work being done at the forefront of activism against SGBV.
Social Action Project
Fellows will receive a seed grant of £250 to pursue and implement a social action project supported by a TuWezeshe Mentor. 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).
Benefits and Commitments
Benefits
- Become part of the Tuwezeshe alumni network of over 50 mentors
- Attend VAWG events on a local, national and international level
- Enable the next generation of young female activists
- Expand knowledge around VAWG issues and Women’s rights
- Expand professional and social network
Expected Commitment
- Minimum monthly communication with your paired Fellow either online or in-person
- Minimum monthly online communication with a FORWARD designated member of staff
- Quarterly progress reviews for training on issues around VAWG and effective mentoring
How to apply
Please send the below information to [email protected] by 20th September 2019:
- Your Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A cut-out or link to current affair/news piece that interests you on either:
- an area of violence against women and girls;
- African and Caribbean women’s leadership or;
- African and Caribbean women’s wellbeing
- An expression of Interest (500 words max) outlining:
- Why you would like to become a mentor on the TuWezeshe Fellowship
- Why you would make an outstanding Mentor
- Why you selected your chosen current affair/news piece
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]
