I AM NALA Fellowship 2027: Call for Applications for Young African Women Survivors of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV)

The I AM NALA Fellowship on Women Survivors of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) 2027 is inviting applications from young women survivors of technology-facilitated gender-based violence who are involved in politics, political leadership, advocacy and efforts to advance women's participation in decision-making. Organised by Nalafem, the fellowship will support 20 young women political leaders and politicians from across Africa and the Diaspora. The programme is designed to strengthen the capacity of survivors to participate meaningfully in political processes, influence policy discussions, contribute to advocacy and research, and advance women's leadership at national, regional and global levels. Running from July to December 2027, the fellowship will provide capacity-building and technical support, mentorship, solidarity and opportunities to learn from experienced political and institutional leaders. It will also connect fellows with Nalafem's wider work on women's political leadership and its campaign addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Applications are open to eligible young women aged 18–40. However, applicants should pay particular attention to the programme's central eligibility condition: the fellowship is exclusively for survivors of technology-facilitated gender-based violence. About the I AM NALA Fellowship 2027 The I AM NALA Fellowship is an initiative of Nalafem, a feminist collective committed to advancing women's leadership and political participation. The programme recognises the challenges that women in politics and public leadership can experience, particularly technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Online harassment, threats, intimidation and other forms of technology-enabled abuse can undermine women's safety, dignity, visibility and participation in public life. For women who are already active in politics or seeking leadership positions, these experiences can create additional barriers to political engagement, public advocacy and decision-making. The I AM NALA Fellowship seeks to respond to these challenges by supporting young women survivors who are continuing to participate in political and leadership spaces. Through training, mentorship, technical assistance and solidarity, the programme aims to strengthen their ability to engage in political negotiations, advocacy and research that promote women's leadership. The 2027 cohort will comprise 20 young women political leaders and politicians from across Africa and the Diaspora. These fellows are expected to demonstrate a commitment to advancing women's political participation at national, regional or global levels. The programme is also grounded in Nalafem's feminist values, which guide its approach to leadership, solidarity and social change. Fellowship Objectives and Areas of Focus The fellowship is designed to strengthen the leadership and advocacy capacity of young women survivors of technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Its central focus is not simply to provide a training experience. It also seeks to equip fellows with the knowledge, support networks and practical skills required to remain active and influential in political and public leadership spaces. The programme will concentrate on the following areas: 1. Strengthening women's political leadership The fellowship will support young women who are currently involved in politics, have previously contested political office, or are engaged in political leadership and advocacy. Through its activities, the programme seeks to strengthen their ability to participate in political processes, contribute to decision-making and advance women's representation and leadership. 2. Building capacity and providing technical support Fellows will receive capacity-building and technical support to strengthen their engagement in political and advocacy activities. This support is intended to equip participants with relevant knowledge and skills to contribute to political negotiations, research and advocacy initiatives that promote women's leadership at national, regional and international levels. 3. Mentorship and engagement with experienced leaders The fellowship will provide opportunities for participants to learn from expert mentors and senior leaders with extensive experience across political institutions and peace and security institutions. These engagements will allow fellows to exchange experiences, learn from established leaders and develop their capacity to navigate political and institutional environments. 4. Creating solidarity among women survivors and political leaders Solidarity is an important part of the fellowship's approach. By bringing together 20 young women from different countries and leadership backgrounds, the programme aims to create opportunities for shared learning, mutual support and collective engagement. This is particularly relevant for women who have experienced technology-facilitated gender-based violence while participating in public, political or leadership spaces. 5. Advancing research and advocacy against TFGBV The fellowship will connect participants with Nalafem's work on technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including its TFGBV campaign. Fellows will also engage in advocacy and research activities aimed at strengthening women's political participation and addressing barriers that affect women's leadership. What the I AM NALA Fellowship Offers Selected fellows will participate in a programme combining online learning, mentorship, dialogue and possible in-person engagements. The key programme components include: 1. Online training sessions and masterclasses The fellowship will organise bi-monthly online sessions featuring training activities and masterclasses. These sessions will provide opportunities for fellows to develop their knowledge, strengthen their leadership capacity and engage with relevant issues affecting women in politics and public leadership. The programme will also facilitate dialogue and learning alongside expert mentors and senior leaders who have experience across political and peace and security institutions. The announcement describes the sessions as bi-monthly but does not specify whether this means twice a month or once every two months. Applicants should seek clarification from Nalafem if the exact frequency is important to their availability. 2. Mentorship and learning from senior leaders Fellows will have opportunities to engage with experienced mentors and senior leaders. These interactions are intended to expose participants to practical knowledge and experience in political leadership, institutional engagement, advocacy and peace and security. The mentorship component will also help fellows strengthen their understanding of how political and institutional processes operate at different levels. 3. Engagement in Nalafem's strategy for CSW72 An important component of the fellowship will be fellows' active engagement in Nalafem's strategy for advancing women's political leadership at CSW72. CSW refers to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, an international forum focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. The fellowship announcement identifies CSW72 as one of the advocacy spaces in which fellows will engage through Nalafem's strategy. The announcement does not provide further details about the specific responsibilities or activities expected of fellows in this engagement. 4. Participation in the Nalafem TFGBV campaign Fellows will also participate in Nalafem's campaign on technology-facilitated gender-based violence. This provides an opportunity for participants to contribute to collective advocacy addressing the challenges faced by women survivors, particularly those whose political participation and leadership may be affected by technology-enabled abuse. 5. Possible in-person engagements and cohort convenings In addition to the online activities, the fellowship may include in-person engagements. These could include cohort convenings at: • Nalafem Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Forum • Nalafem Summit These opportunities would allow fellows to connect directly, exchange experiences and participate in wider discussions on women's political leadership and related issues. However, the announcement describes these in-person engagements as possibilities. It does not confirm that every fellow will receive travel support or that participation in these events is guaranteed. Who Can Apply for the I AM NALA Fellowship 2027? The fellowship is intended for young women aged 18–40 who have experienced technology-facilitated gender-based violence and are involved in politics, political leadership, advocacy or related leadership activities. Nalafem is particularly seeking applicants who are actively advancing women's political participation at national, regional or global levels. The eligible groups identified in the announcement include the following: 1. Young women currently running for political office Young women who are currently contesting or running for political office are eligible to apply, provided they meet the fellowship's other requirements, including being survivors of TFGBV. 2. Young women who have previously run for political office Women who have previously contested political elections or sought elected office may also apply. The programme recognises that political leadership experience can extend beyond those who currently hold or are seeking office. 3. Young women political leaders engaged in advocacy Young women involved in political leadership and advocacy at national, regional or global levels are eligible. This includes individuals who contribute to efforts aimed at increasing women's political participation and leadership. 4. Young women student leaders Young women who hold leadership roles in student organisations or other student leadership spaces are also included among the eligible groups. They must still satisfy the programme's central requirement that fellows are survivors of technology-facilitated gender-based violence. 5. Young women survivors of technology-facilitated gender-based violence Survivorship is the defining eligibility condition for this fellowship. Nalafem specifically states that the programme is exclusively for survivors of TFGBV. Applicants must therefore be able to respond to the application questions concerning their experience as survivors. The application form includes a question asking whether the applicant is a survivor and a follow-up question inviting them to explain their experience. The organisation states that this information will be treated with strict confidentiality. Important: Being a young woman, politician, student leader or advocate does not by itself make someone eligible. Applicants must also meet the survivor requirement. Nalafem's Values: What the Fellowship Seeks in Its Participants Nalafem is looking for 20 leaders who embody its core organisational values. These values are central to the fellowship's approach to political leadership, solidarity and feminist advocacy. The six values identified in the announcement are: • Solidarity: Supporting collective action, mutual assistance and shared responsibility among women and other groups working towards social change. • Social Justice: Promoting fairness, equal rights and the removal of structural barriers that prevent people from participating fully in society. • Dignity: Recognising and protecting the worth, rights and personal dignity of every individual. • Equity: Advancing fair opportunities and addressing inequalities that affect women's participation and leadership. • Decolonial Feminism: Challenging unequal power structures and approaches that reproduce colonial forms of domination, while recognising the importance of local knowledge and experiences. • Feminist Pan-Africanism: Supporting a collective vision of African women'

• Aged 18–40 years old • Must be a survivor of technology-facilitated gender-based violence • Currently involved in politics, have contested political office, or are engaged in political leadership and advocacy • Demonstrated commitment to advancing women's political participation at national, regional or global levels • From Africa or the Diaspora