Fellowships

The Women of the South Speak Out (WOSSO) Fellowship builds a new generation of feminist leaders through practical experience, structured learning, mentorship and direct engagement in advocacy. The Fellowship supports young women to step into spaces of influence and contribute to shaping gender equality outcomes. The WOSSO Fellowship is currently implemented under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) programme, funded by Global Affairs Canada. In this phase, the fellowship is focused in South Africa, strengthening young feminist leadership and deepening engagement within national and regional advocacy spaces.

What Fellows do

The WOSSO Fellowship is built around four core components: Placement, where fellows work within host organisations; Modules, which provide structured learning and skills development; Mentorship, which offers ongoing support and guidance; and Advocacy, through which fellows develop and contribute to individual and organisational focus areas.

WOSSO fellows are actively involved in work that shapes gender equality outcomes. Their work includes participating in policy and advocacy processes, supporting research and communications, contributing to campaigns, engaging in national, regional and global platforms and supporting movement-building efforts. Fellows are not observers. They are contributors within the organisations and spaces they are part of.

Meet the current fellows

What Fellows gain

Through the fellowship, participants build practical leadership experience, strong networks within civil society and advocacy spaces, exposure to policy processes and decision-making environments and confidence to engage, contribute and lead. The fellowship is both a learning experience and a platform for growth.

At the end of the fellowship, participants complete their placement and learning modules and graduate as part of the WOSSO network. Graduates become part of a growing community of feminist leaders who continue to contribute to advocacy, research, communications and movement-building within their organisations and beyond.

Read the Stories of Change