News Vital Voices Global Fellowship – Political Leadership Pillar

The political track of the Vital Voices Global Fellowship believes that women belong at the decision-making table at every level of leadership, from community organizing to representation in halls of government. The Global Fellowship’s political leadership pillar supports women making and influencing policy around the world to strengthen their leadership, build more equitable systems, and create more equal laws. We aim to increase the capacity, decision-making power, and effectiveness of women leaders in politics and government, shifting culture around women’s public leadership and moving towards equality in public representation globally. We also aim to work towards a more inclusive and equitable world by advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through policy.

We believe that women belong at the decision-making table at every level of leadership, from community organizing to representation in halls of government. The Global Fellowship’s political leadership pillar is a continuation of our VVEngage Fellowship, which supports women making and influencing policy around the world to strengthen their leadership, build more equitable systems, and create more equal laws. We aim to increase the capacity, decision-making power, and effectiveness of women leaders in politics and government, shifting culture around women’s leadership and moving towards equality in public representation globally. We also aim to work towards a more inclusive and equitable world by advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through policy.

Building on 25 years of leadership development work conducted by Vital Voices and learnings from the last 5 years of the VVEngage Fellowship, the customized political curriculum will offer training topics such as Strategic Communications, Political Strategy, and Governance from expert trainers. The political track also connects participants to a global network of peers and mentors, such as current and former female heads of state with the Council of Women World Leaders, with whom they can brainstorm and share challenges and best practices.

To be considered for the Global Fellowship Political Pillar, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Political Pillar Criteria

• • Either an elected or appointed official, political party leader, functionary, political activist, media professional, civil society leader, or community leader
  • Minimum of three years in elected or appointed office, as the key decision-maker for a civil society organization, or in related political leadership work
  • Committed to transparency and good governance
  • Demonstrated leadership ability, high potential for future leadership development
  • At minimum, a basic understanding of the policy-making process in your community

Additional criteria based on sector

Elected/appointed official or political party leader:

• • • • If the applicant is a member of a political party, the party must be established, registered, and committed to good governance and democratic principles
      • Both the applicant and the applicant’s party must not have had any convictions of corruption or abuse of power
      • Commitment to working with other sectors on common goals

Appointed official:

• • • • Previous history of public engagement and expertise on the issue(s) under the mandate of her organization
      • In a leadership position within her organization

Political activist:

• • • • Demonstrated history of political activism and leadership advancing the Sustainable Development Goals
      • Commitment to working across sectors on common goals

Community leader:

• • • • In a leadership position in a marginalized and excluded community that remains on the periphery of political activity in their countries OR
      • In a leadership position in a society without a traditional government structure

Media professional:

• • • • Covers stories related to politics, gender-based issues or the Sustainable Development Goals

Civil society leader:

• • • • Organization must be a civil society organization – associations independent of the public and for-profit sectors and designed to advance collective interests, as definited by UNICEF’s Civil Society Partnerships
      • Organization’s mission must be in line with the values of democracy, transparency, and good governance, if applicable
      • Organization’s primary function should involve working directly with the government, advancing legislative changes, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, or working to get more women into politics and public lservice
      • Organization must have been registered for at least three years
      • Organization must be non-partisan