Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship 2026/27: Empower African Women Leaders

Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship 2026/27 offers African women a chance to build strong leadership skills in public health. This year-long program targets professionals in Kenya and South Africa. It aims to help women take on more leadership roles in health systems where they are often underrepresented.

About the Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship

The Women in Global Health Leadership Fellowship 2026/27 comes from a partnership between the University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Moi University School of Public Health in Kenya, and the University of Cape Town School of Public Health in South Africa. The Mastercard Foundation supports it too. Women make up about 70% of health workers worldwide, including over 80% of nurses and 90% of midwives. They also handle much unpaid care at home. Still, they hold only 25% of leadership spots in health.

This fellowship creates safe spaces for African women in public health to learn, connect, and lead. It mixes academic training, mentorship, peer talks, and hands-on practice.

Fellowship Objectives

The program has clear goals to help women leaders grow:

1. Build leadership skills for African women in public health.
2. Push for leadership that changes gender roles.
3. Support fair public health policies and work.
4. Create mentorship and networks for women.
5. Teach skills in policy work, advocacy, and sharing knowledge.
6. Encourage teamwork among public health workers in Africa.

What Fellows Will Learn

Fellows in the 2026/27 group will study key topics like global health policy, leadership growth, gender equity in health, knowledge sharing, mentorship skills, advocacy, communication, and reflective practices. They learn through lectures, case studies, workshops, role plays, discussions, exercises, and mentor help.

In-Person Leadership Academy in Kenya

A key part is a one-week in-person academy in Kenya in early 2027. Fellows must travel there for networking, problem-solving, coaching, policy talks, and learning from other countries. They need a valid passport.

Who Can Apply

To join, you must:

• Be a woman.
• Be an African national.
• Live and work in Kenya or South Africa.
• Have 5-15 years in public or global health.
• Hold a postgraduate degree in public health, health policy, health sciences, or similar.
• Work in policy, practice, research, or teaching in public health.
• Show leadership potential or experience.
• Speak English well.
• Attend the Kenya academy.

Fellowship Benefits

Fellows get many gains:

Advanced Leadership Training

Special sessions build skills for health leadership.

Expert Mentorship

Pair with pros for career advice and coaching.

Networking

Join African women leaders and global health experts.

Policy and Advocacy Tools

Learn to shape health policies and fight for gender equity.

Career Boost

Raise your profile for more leadership roles.

Peer Learning

Work with others on shared health issues for lasting ties.

Application Process

Apply in two steps.

Step 1: Expression of Interest

Fill the online form in 15-20 minutes. Deadline: May 22, 2026.

Step 2: Full Application

Shortlisted people get invites. Full deadline around late June or early July 2026. They pick 18 fellows.

Apply at the official site: https://www.dlsph.utoronto.ca/womeninglobalhealth/. Check instructions first.

Frequently Asked Questions