Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship (South Africa and Kenya)

The fellowship includes a comprehensive curriculum in global health policy, leadership, knowledge translation and mentorship skills delivered by experts through innovative lectures, case studies, role plays, workshops, discussion forums and reflective exercises, all while supported by an amazing group of mentors.

There is a pressing need to improve the pipeline of women leaders working in public and global health. They believe there is no shortage of women leaders. What is missing, are safe spaces where women can share their experiences with other like-minded peers while being exposed to gender transformative leadership, training tools and role models that can help them push forward more equitable health policies and practices.

This program was created in collaboration between the University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health (Canada), the Moi University School of Public Health (Kenya) and the University of Cape Town School of Public Health (South Africa), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

Focus Areas

• Gender Equity and Intersectional Analysis: The ability to apply an intersectional and/or gender equity lens to health systems and/or health systems research.
• Global Health Policy and Advocacy: The ability to work around policy development, communication, cohesion, and advocacy to address the political environment and organizational culture of health institutions.
• Leadership: The ability to create a vision which empowers others, fosters collaboration, lead, guide decision-making and support diverse team members, to recognize and challenge gender inequity within their organization.
• Mentorship: The ability to develop and realize their leadership potential, their skillset, recognize opportunities for change, and optimize institutional resources to promote gender equity through their work.

Benefits

• Comprehensive curriculum in global health policy, gender equity and leadership delivered by experts
• Personalized mentorship & coaching
• In person leadership academy
• Guidance in the design of an action plan and/or leadership project
• Transportation, accommodations and food for leadership academy
• Living, family and childcare stipend

Costs Covered

• This fellowship will provide participants with a living and family support stipend to cover lost wages, child or elder care, or other expenses to support their full participation in the program.

Phases

• Pre-Start
  • Information package (with information for in-person sessions)
  • Pre-survey to gage knowledge, skills, needs and expectations.
• Phase 1-Online
  • Online learning sessions on global health, gender equity, policy and knowledge translation
  • Individual and group work, readings, reflexive exercises
  • Guest lecturers
• Phase 2-In Person
  • Online learning sessions on global health, gender equity, policy and knowledge translation
  • Individual and group work, readings, reflexive exercises
  • Guest lecturers
• Phase 3-Online
  • One-on-one mentorship sessions and training
  • Development and presentation of a leadership project
  • Exit interviews and recommendations for next fellowship cohort
• Post Fellowship
  • Invitation to participate in alumni network and/or to become an advisor to future cohorts

Duration

• The fellowship lasts 12 months.
• This hybrid course will take place from September 2025 to August 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

• Identify as a woman
• Early to mid-career (5-15 years of experience)
• Post-grad education in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Sciences and/or related fields
• Work in a role that focuses on public health policy, practice, teaching and/or research
• Demonstrated leadership qualities
• Reside and work in Kenya or South Africa and be an African national
• Possess fluency in English
• Able to attend a one-week (5-7 days) leadership academy
• Have support from employer to participate
• Participants can expect to commit 8 – 12 hours per month (virtual) and one-week for the in-person leadership academy.

For more information, visit Dalla Lana School of Public Health.