WomenLift Health 2027 Southern Africa Leadership Journey: Fully Funded Leadership Programme for Women in Health

<p>The <strong>WomenLift Health 2027 Southern Africa Leadership Journey</strong> is a fully funded leadership development opportunity for mid-career women working across health and interconnected sectors in Southern Africa. The 12-month programme is designed to help women leaders strengthen their voice, influence, leadership capacity and ability to create meaningful and sustainable health impact.</p> <p>Through a combination of virtual learning, mentoring, one-on-one executive coaching, experiential learning and a self-directed <strong>Health Leadership Project</strong>, participants will gain practical tools for addressing complex health challenges while building a powerful regional network of women leaders.</p> <p>The programme is offered at <strong>no cost to selected participants</strong>, with WomenLift Health covering programme costs, including travel and lodging for the required in-person experiences.</p> <p><strong>Application deadline: 18 September 2026 at 11:59 PM CAT.</strong></p> <h2>Key Details of the WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Programme:</strong> WomenLift Health 2027 Southern Africa Leadership Journey</li> <li><strong>Duration:</strong> Approximately 12 months</li> <li><strong>Format:</strong> Hybrid, combining virtual and in-person learning</li> <li><strong>Programme cost:</strong> Free</li> <li><strong>Programme learning commitment:</strong> Approximately 4–8 hours per month</li> <li><strong>Total learning hours:</strong> Approximately 87 hours</li> <li><strong>Cohort size:</strong> 35 women leaders in health</li> <li><strong>Application deadline:</strong> 18 September 2026 at 11:59 PM CAT</li> <li><strong>Region:</strong> Southern Africa</li> <li><strong>Eligible countries:</strong> Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, eSwatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe</li> <li><strong>Target participants:</strong> Mid-career women leaders with 10–25 years of professional experience in Health++</li> <li><strong>Language:</strong> English</li> <li><strong>Time-zone requirement:</strong> CAT, plus or minus one hour, for at least 75% of the programme</li> <li><strong>Funding:</strong> Fully funded, including programme costs, travel and lodging for required in-person experiences</li> </ul> <h1>What Is the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey?</h1> <p>The <a href="https://www.womenlifthealth.org/2027-southern-africa-leadership-journey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WomenLift Health Leadership Journey</a> is a transformational leadership and learning experience created for professional women working across the health sector and related fields.</p> <p>The programme provides participants with a structured environment in which they can reflect on their leadership journeys, strengthen their ability to influence others, develop new leadership strategies and work on complex health challenges.</p> <p>The Southern Africa Leadership Journey is specifically designed for women leaders working in countries across Southern Africa.</p> <p>Rather than focusing exclusively on technical health knowledge, the programme takes a broader approach to leadership. It recognises that improving health outcomes requires leaders who can work across sectors, understand complex systems, build coalitions and influence institutions.</p> <p>Participants therefore explore both <strong>personal leadership development</strong> and <strong>systems-level health challenges</strong>.</p> <h1>What Makes the 2027 Southern Africa Leadership Journey Different?</h1> <p>The programme combines several complementary elements rather than relying on traditional classroom-based training.</p> <p>Participants will have access to:</p> <ol> <li>Intensive leadership learning</li> <li>Virtual learning touchpoints</li> <li>Group mentoring</li> <li>Individual executive coaching</li> <li>Leadership assessments</li> <li>In-person experiential learning</li> <li>A Health Leadership Project</li> <li>A diverse regional network of women leaders</li> <li>Opportunities to collaborate across sectors</li> <li>Continued engagement through a lifelong community</li> </ol> <p>This combination is intended to help participants translate leadership concepts into practical action.</p> <p>The programme also provides a safe environment for participants to reflect on their experiences, vulnerabilities, strengths and aspirations while learning alongside peers facing similar leadership challenges.</p> <h1>Programme Duration and Format</h1> <p>The 2027 Southern Africa Leadership Journey is structured as a <strong>12-month programme</strong> with both virtual and in-person components.</p> <p>Participants should expect to dedicate approximately <strong>4–8 hours each month</strong> to the Journey.</p> <p>Across the programme, the estimated total learning commitment is approximately <strong>87 hours</strong>, including learning touchpoints and work associated with the Health Leadership Project.</p> <p>The hybrid structure allows participants to remain engaged with their professional responsibilities while participating in carefully designed leadership-development experiences.</p> <p>However, participants should understand that the required sessions are considered important components of the programme and that attendance is expected.</p> <h1>Cost: A Fully Funded Leadership Opportunity</h1> <p>One of the most significant advantages of the WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey is that it is offered <strong>free of charge to selected participants</strong>.</p> <p>WomenLift Health states that programme costs are covered, including:</p> <ul> <li>Programme participation</li> <li>Travel associated with required in-person experiences</li> <li>Lodging associated with those experiences</li> </ul> <p>This funding structure is intended to make the leadership-development experience accessible to qualified women leaders without requiring participants to personally finance the programme&#8217;s major participation costs.</p> <p>Because the programme involves live, interactive learning and in-person residencies, selected participants are expected to make the necessary time available for participation.</p> <h1>Who Is the Programme Designed For?</h1> <p>The Southern Africa Leadership Journey is designed for <strong>mid-career women leaders working in health and related sectors</strong>.</p> <p>WomenLift Health takes a broad view of what constitutes health leadership.</p> <p>Rather than limiting participation to physicians, nurses or public health professionals, the programme recognises that sustainable health improvements depend on action across multiple interconnected areas.</p> <p>Participants may therefore come from different professional sectors and disciplines that influence health outcomes.</p> <p>These can include:</p> <ul> <li>Public health</li> <li>Healthcare</li> <li>Medicine</li> <li>Nursing</li> <li>Health policy</li> <li>Education</li> <li>Agriculture</li> <li>Food systems</li> <li>Climate</li> <li>Water and sanitation</li> <li>Technology</li> <li>Gender equity</li> <li>Economic policy</li> <li>Non-governmental organisations</li> <li>Academia</li> <li>Philanthropy</li> <li>Private-sector organisations</li> <li>Public-sector institutions</li> </ul> <p>The programme calls this broader approach <strong>Health++</strong>.</p> <h1>Understanding the Health++ Concept</h1> <p>WomenLift Health defines <strong>Health++</strong> as the recognition that sustainable improvements in health require coordinated action across interconnected fields that shape and enable health.</p> <p>These include areas such as:</p> <ul> <li>Climate change</li> <li>Food systems</li> <li>Agriculture</li> <li>Water and sanitation</li> <li>Education</li> <li>Economic policy</li> <li>Gender equity</li> <li>Technology</li> </ul> <p>The Health++ approach is based on the understanding that health challenges cannot always be solved within the boundaries of the health sector alone.</p> <p>For example, health outcomes can be influenced by whether people have access to nutritious food, clean water, safe environments, education, economic opportunities, technology and equitable services.</p> <p>The Leadership Journey therefore seeks leaders who can think beyond professional silos and work across interconnected systems.</p> <h1>Why Health++ Matters</h1> <p>The programme identifies several important relationships between health and other sectors.</p> <h2>Health and Climate</h2> <p>Climate change can influence disease patterns, nutrition, environmental conditions and people&#8217;s ability to access healthcare.</p> <p>Rising temperatures, extreme weather events and pollution can create additional health risks and increase pressure on health systems.</p> <p>Women leaders working at the intersection of climate and health can therefore contribute to solutions that address both environmental and health challenges.</p> <h2>Health and Agriculture</h2> <p>Agriculture and food systems have direct implications for nutrition, livelihoods and health.</p> <p>Food systems can influence problems ranging from malnutrition to obesity while also affecting rural communities and economies.</p> <p>Cross-sectoral leadership can help address these challenges more effectively.</p> <h2>Health and Gender</h2> <p>Gender influences access to healthcare, health decision-making and leadership.</p> <p>Understanding power dynamics and gender-related barriers is therefore important for developing health systems that are more equitable.</p> <p>Women leaders can play a significant role in identifying and addressing these structural challenges.</p> <h2>Health and Technology</h2> <p>Technology is increasingly changing healthcare delivery, diagnostics and access to services.</p> <p>Digital health tools can create new opportunities while also raising questions about accessibility, equity and inclusion.</p> <p>Leaders who understand both health systems and technology can help ensure innovation contributes to better and more equitable outcomes.</p> <h1>Developing Women Leaders Across Health++</h1> <p>The programme seeks to develop leaders who can:</p> <ul> <li>Collaborate across sectors</li> <li>Think beyond traditional professional boundaries</li> <li>Build coalitions</li> <li>Understand complex systems</li> <li>Identify catalytic leverage points</li> <li>Influence institutions</li> <li>Strengthen their leadership presence</li> <li>Create sustainable health impact</li> </ul> <p>This approach is intended to prepare women leaders to address complex problems that require cooperation between multiple sectors and stakeholders.</p> <h1>Core Elements of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey</h1> <p>The programme consists of several interconnected components.</p> <h2>1. Health Leadership Project</h2> <p>The <a href="https://www.womenlifthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WomenLift-Health-HLP-Brochure-10-August-2026.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Health Leadership Project (HLP)</strong></a> is a central component of the Journey.</p> <p>Participants enter the programme with an idea for a project that addresses a health-related challenge.</p> <p>The project gives each participant an opportunity to design and lead an initiative that draws upon their:</p> <ul> <li>Expertise</li> <li>Professional network</li> <li>Passion</li> <li>Creativity</li> <li>Leadership capabilities</li> </ul> <p>The goal is to turn leadership learning into practical health impact.</p> <h3>Developing the Health Leadership Project</h3> <p>Participants work on several components of their project, including:</p> <ul> <li>A Theory of Change</li> <li>Stakeholder constellation mapping</li> <li>An implementation plan</li> </ul> <p>They receive guidance from:</p> <ul> <li>A mentor</li> <li>An HLP reviewer</li> <li>Global health experts within the WomenLift Health team and network</li> </ul> <p>The implementation phase begins during the latter part of the Leadership Journey.</p> <p>Participants present their project&#8217;s development and early outcomes during the Lift-Off event.</p> <p>The project does not have to be fully completed by the end of the Journey. Participants are expected to continue implementation beyond the programme where appropriate.</p> <h1>Three Principles for the Health Leadership Project</h1> <p>WomenLift Health identifies three major guidelines for HLP projects.</p> <h3>1. Improve Health Outcomes</h3> <p>Projects should focus on improving health outcomes and incorporate gender considerations into interventions, policies and systems.</p> <p>Participants should consider differences in:</p> <ul> <li>Health burdens</li> <li>Risks</li> <li>Access to care</li> <li>Experiences</li> <li>Outcomes</li> </ul> <h3>2. Strengthen Leadership</h3> <p>The project should provide an opportunity for participants to apply and strengthen their leadership capabilities.</p> <p>Participants are encouraged to balance:</p> <ul> <li>Personal control</li> <li>Influence</li> <li>Collaboration</li> <li>Resource mobilisation</li> <li>Sustainable impact</li> </ul> <h3>3. Address Health Challenges Through a Systems Lens</h3> <p>Participants should channel their passion into addressing a public health challenge while considering:</p> <ul> <li>Structures</li> <li>Policies</li> <li>Stakeholders</li> <li>Root causes</li> <li>Systems</li> <li>Long-term sustainability</li> <li>Scalability</li> </ul> <p>This approach is designed to move projects beyond short-term interventions toward sustainable change.</p> <h1>2. Learning Touchpoints</h1> <p>Learning Touchpoints are facilitated virtual and in-person group sessions.</p> <p>They use interactive and workshop-style approaches rather than relying exclusively on lectures.</p> <p>Participants explore:</p> <ul> <li>Leadership frameworks</li> <li>Leadership research</li> <li>Practical leadership tools</li> <li>Personal development</li> <li>Professional growth</li> <li>Health leadership priorities</li> <li>Relevant sector issues</li> <li>Health Leadership Projects</li> </ul> <p>The sessions also create opportunities for participants to learn from one another.</p> <p>The cohort&#8217;s diversity is therefore an important part of the learning experience.</p> <h1>3. Mentoring Touchpoints</h1> <p>Participants will also receive group mentoring from experienced senior leaders.</p> <p>WomenLift Health identifies mentors from different:</p> <ul> <li>Professional backgrounds</li> <li>Health sectors</li> <li>Disciplines</li> <li>Career trajectories</li> </ul> <p>Mentoring groups consist of several cohort members and a mentor.</p> <p>Mentors are matched with participants based on complementary backgrounds, professional trajectories and, in some cases, Health Leadership Project topics.</p> <p>The mentor serves as a technical and career resource throughout the Journey.</p> <h1>4. One-on-One Executive Coaching</h1> <p>Individual coaching is another major feature of the programme.</p> <p>Each participant is paired with an executive coach who works with her individually.</p> <p>The coaching relationship helps participants:</p> <ul> <li>Identify strengths</li> <li>Understand areas for development</li> <li>Navigate change</li> <li>Respond to new leadership challenges</li> <li>Strengthen leadership effectiveness</li> <li>Prepare for future leadership responsibilities</li> </ul> <p>Leadership-style assessments, including a <strong>360-rater evaluation</strong>, are used to inform coaching conversations.</p> <p>This provides participants with structured feedback about their leadership capabilities and helps them identify areas they may wish to strengthen.</p> <p>The combination of mentoring and coaching gives participants both:</p> <ul> <li>A broader professional support network; and</li> <li>Personalised leadership-development guidance.</li> </ul> <h1>5. In-Person Leadership Immersion</h1> <p>The <strong>Leadership Immersion</strong> is a three-day experiential learning event held several months into the Journey.</p> <p>The Immersion gives participants the opportunity to move beyond virtual learning and engage directly with their cohort.</p> <p>Activities include:</p> <ul> <li>Dynamic discussions</li> <li>Practical exercises</li> <li>Real-world leadership examples</li> <li>Reflection</li> <li>Peer learning</li> <li>Application of leadership concepts</li> </ul> <p>The 2027 programme schedule identifies the Immersion as taking place from <strong>13–16 April 2027</strong>, with travel days on <strong>12 April and 17 April</strong>.</p> <p>The specific location will be communicated to selected cohort members closer to the event, but it will be somewhere in <strong>Southern Africa</strong>.</p> <h1>6. Leadership Lift-Off</h1> <p>The Leadership Lift-Off takes place toward the end of the Journey.</p> <p>It is designed to celebrate the cohort&#8217;s development and prepare participants for the next stage of their leadership journey.</p> <p>The programme describes both public and private Lift-Off experiences.</p> <h3>Public Lift-Off</h3> <p>Participants reflect on their leadership development throughout the year and present their Health Leadership Projects to:</p> <ul> <li>Fellow cohort members</li> <li>Other health audiences</li> <li>Relevant stakeholders</li> </ul> <h3>Private Lift-Off</h3> <p>The private Lift-Off is a two-day event focused on celebrating the cohort&#8217;s growth and preparing participants for the next phase of their leadership.</p> <p>The programme information provided lists the Lift-Off as <strong>14–15 March 2028</strong>, with travel days on <strong>13 March and 16 March</strong>.</p> <p>Applicants should carefully review the official programme calendar because the dates provided extend beyond the stated February 2026–March 2027 programme-duration description on the webpage.</p> <h1>Lifelong Leadership Community</h1> <p>Completing the Leadership Journey does not mark the end of participants&#8217; relationship with WomenLift Health.</p> <p>Those who successfully complete the Journey become <strong>Global Fellows</strong> and join a lifelong network of women leaders.</p> <p>The network provides continuing opportunities for:</p> <ul> <li>Peer support</li> <li>Professional collaboration</li> <li>Regional networking</li> <li>Global networking</li> <li>Mentorship</li> <li>Leadership exchange</li> <li>Advocacy for women&#8217;s leadership</li> </ul> <p>Participants therefore become part of a community that continues beyond the formal programme.</p> <h1>Diversity, Inclusion and Representation</h1> <p>Inclusion is a central value of WomenLift Health.</p> <p>The organisation states that transformative leadership should:</p> <ul> <li>Advocate for women</li> <li>Give women a voice</li> <li>Represent women with diverse lived experiences</li> </ul> <p>WomenLift Health encourages applications from:</p> <ul> <li>Minorities</li> <li>Historically marginalised communities</li> <li>Underrepresented communities</li> </ul> <p>within the countries served by the programme.</p> <p>The organisation also seeks diversity across:</p> <ul> <li>Sectors</li> <li>Disciplines</li> <li>Cultures</li> <li>Professional backgrounds</li> <li>Lived experiences</li> </ul> <p>This means the Southern Africa Leadership Journey is not designed around one narrow professional profile.</p> <h1>Eligibility Requirements</h1> <p>Applicants must meet <strong>all</strong> of the stated eligibility requirements.</p> <h2>1. Applicants Must Identify as Women</h2> <p>The programme is specifically designed for women leaders.</p> <p>Applicants must identify as women to qualify for consideration.</p> <h2>2. English Fluency</h2> <p>Applicants must demonstrate confidence and fluency in both <strong>written and verbal English</strong>.</p> <p>This is important because participants are expected to:</p> <ul> <li>Express emotions and personal experiences</li> <li>Participate in reflective conversations</li> <li>Engage in complex interpersonal discussions</li> <li>Understand and apply leadership-development concepts</li> <li>Participate actively in group sessions</li> </ul> <h2>3. Citizenship, Residence and Employment</h2> <p>Applicants must be citizens who <strong>reside and work</strong> in one of the following countries:</p> <ul> <li>Angola</li> <li>Botswana</li> <li>Lesotho</li> <li>Malawi</li> <li>Mozambique</li> <li>Namibia</li> <li>South Africa</li> <li>eSwatini</li> <li>Zambia</li> <li>Zimbabwe</li> </ul> <p>Applicants outside these countries do not meet the stated country eligibility requirement for the 2027 Southern Africa Leadership Journey.</p> <h2>4. Time-Zone Requirement</h2> <p>Applicants must live within <strong>CAT, plus or minus one hour</strong>, for at least <strong>75% of the Leadership Journey</strong>.</p> <p>WomenLift Health considers time-zone compatibility essential because participants need to attend scheduled learning touchpoints and interact with their peers.</p> <h2>5. Professional Experience</h2> <p>Applicants must be <strong>mid-career leaders with between 10 and 25 years of work experience</strong> in Health++.</p> <p>This requirement distinguishes the Leadership Journey from programmes aimed at students, recent graduates or early-career professionals.</p> <p>The programme is intended for experienced professionals who are ready to deepen their leadership influence.</p> <h1>What Does &#8220;10–25 Years of Experience in Health++&#8221; Mean?</h1> <p>The requirement should not necessarily be interpreted as requiring 10–25 years of work exclusively within hospitals, medical institutions or traditional public health organisations.</p> <p>WomenLift Health&#8217;s Health++ definition is intentionally broad.</p> <p>Relevant professional experience can involve interconnected sectors such as:</p> <ul> <li>Climate</li> <li>Agriculture</li> <li>Food systems</li> <li>Water and sanitation</li> <li>Education</li> <li>Economic policy</li> <li>Gender</li> <li>Technology</li> </ul> <p>The important consideration is the relationship between the applicant&#8217;s work and health impact.</p> <h1>Professional Diversity Within the Cohort</h1> <p>WomenLift Health intends to create a diverse cohort representing different sectors, including:</p> <ul> <li>Public sector</li> <li>Private sector</li> <li>Academia</li> <li>Non-governmental organisations</li> <li>Philanthropy</li> </ul> <p>This diversity is intended to strengthen cross-sector collaboration and expose participants to perspectives outside their immediate professional environments.</p> <h1>Application Requirements</h1> <p>A complete application must include a <strong>letter of recommendation</strong>.</p> <p>The preferred recommender is the applicant&#8217;s supervisor.</p> <p>However, if an applicant cannot obtain a recommendation from her direct supervisor, she may submit a letter from:</p> <ul> <li>A senior leader within her current organisation; or</li> <li>A leader in the health community who has experience working with her.</li> </ul> <p>The letter should address the applicant&#8217;s:</p> <h3>Leadership Contributions</h3> <p>The recommender should describe significant contributions the applicant has made to her professional field that demonstrate leadership capacity.</p> <h3>Distinguishing Personal Qualities</h3> <p>The recommendation should identify the applicant&#8217;s strongest personal quality and explain how that quality distinguishes her as a candidate.</p> <h3>Leadership Development Potential</h3> <p>The recommender should explain how participation in the Leadership Journey could help the applicant strengthen her leadership knowledge and skills.</p> <p>The recommendation letter must be uploaded as part of the application <strong>by the application deadline</strong> for the application to be considered complete.</p> <h1>The Health Leadership Project Is Particularly Important</h1> <p>Applicants should pay close attention to the Health Leadership Project component when preparing their applications.</p> <p>WomenLift Health states that the project and its description carry significant weight in the application review process.</p> <p>Strong applicants are expected to demonstrate:</p> <ul> <li>Original thinking</li> <li>A clear mission</li> <li>Leadership potential</li> <li>Understanding of the health challenge</li> <li>Systems thinking</li> <li>Practical ambition</li> <li>Potential for meaningful health impact</li> </ul> <p>Applicants are therefore encouraged to review the official Health Leadership Project materials before beginning the application.</p> <h1>Using Artificial Intelligence in the Application</h1> <p>WomenLift Health acknowledges that applicants increasingly use artificial intelligence tools when preparing applications.</p> <p>The organisation does not prohibit thoughtful use of AI, but it emphasises that application responses should remain:</p> <ul> <li>Specific</li> <li>Contextualised</li> <li>Rooted in the applicant&#8217;s actual work</li> <li>Connected to genuine interests</li> <li>Based on realistic goals</li> <li>Reflective of the applicant&#8217;s own thinking</li> </ul> <p>Applicants should avoid submitting generic responses that could have been written for anyone.</p> <p>The organisation notes that vague responses or applications that appear substantially similar to those of other applicants may receive lower ratings in a highly competitive selection process.</p> <p>Applicants may therefore use technology as a support tool, but their application should demonstrate their own experience, ideas, leadership journey and goals.</p> <h1>Participation Commitments and Expectations</h1> <p>The Leadership Journey offers extensive support at no cost to participants, including:</p> <ul> <li>Mentoring</li> <li>Coaching</li> <li>Assessments</li> <li>Virtual learning</li> <li>In-person experiences</li> </ul> <p>Because the programme receives hundreds of applications and has limited places, selected participants are expected to take their commitment seriously.</p> <p>Accepting a place means agreeing to participate fully.</p> <p>The programme&#8217;s virtual and in-person sessions are designed as live, small-group learning experiences.</p> <p>Each participant&#8217;s presence contributes to the experience of the entire cohort.</p> <p>Participants should therefore plan their schedules carefully and make every reasonable effort to attend all required sessions.</p> <p>If an absence becomes unavoidable, participants are expected to inform WomenLift Health as soon as they know they cannot attend.</p> <p>Applicants should also review the official <strong>Terms of Acceptance</strong> covering attendance and data policies.</p> <h1>Programme Schedule</h1> <p>The programme includes several major learning milestones and touchpoints.</p> <p>Applicants should review the official calendar carefully before applying because participation in the required sessions is mandatory.</p> <p>The programme information states that participants should ensure they can attend all scheduled touchpoints and in-person residencies.</p> <p>The in-person components involve travel within Southern Africa.</p> <p>The published calendar identifies:</p> <h3>Leadership Immersion</h3> <p><strong>13–16 April 2027</strong></p> <p>Travel days:</p> <ul> <li>12 April 2027</li> <li>17 April 2027</li> </ul> <h3>Leadership Lift-Off</h3> <p><strong>14–15 March 2028</strong></p> <p>Travel days:</p> <ul> <li>13 March 2028</li> <li>16 March 2028</li> </ul> <p>The exact locations of the in-person residencies will be communicated to selected cohort members closer to the events and will be in Southern Africa.</p> <h1>Why Apply to the WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey?</h1> <p>The programme provides an unusual combination of leadership development, professional networking, coaching, mentoring and practical health impact.</p> <p>Selected participants can benefit from:</p> <h2>Leadership Development</h2> <p>Participants gain frameworks and tools to strengthen their leadership effectiveness.</p> <h2>Executive Coaching</h2> <p>One-on-one coaching provides personalised support for understanding strengths and areas for growth.</p> <h2>Mentorship</h2> <p>Participants learn from experienced leaders working across different health sectors and disciplines.</p> <h2>Peer Network</h2> <p>The cohort provides a community of women leaders who can exchange knowledge, perspectives and professional experiences.</p> <h2>Health Leadership Project</h2> <p>Participants develop and lead a project addressing a real health challenge.</p> <h2>Regional Exposure</h2> <p>The programme brings together women leaders from across Southern Africa.</p> <h2>Long-Term Community</h2> <p>Successful participants become part of a lifelong WomenLift Health network.</p> <h2>Fully Funded Participation</h2> <p>The programme is free, with programme costs and required travel and lodging covered.</p> <h1>How to Apply</h1> <p>Interested applicants should first confirm that they meet every eligibility requirement.</p> <p>They should then review the programme&#8217;s official resources, particularly:</p> <ul> <li>Leadership Journey Framework</li> <li>Health Leadership Project Guidelines</li> <li>Frequently Asked Questions</li> <li>Programme Calendar</li> <li>Terms of Acceptance</li> </ul> <p>Applicants should also identify an appropriate recommender and ensure that the recommendation letter can be submitted before the deadline.</p> <p>The official WomenLift Health application page should be used to submit the application.</p> <p><strong>Application deadline: 18 September 2026 at 11:59 PM CAT.</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.womenlifthealth.org/2027-southern-africa-leadership-journey/#apply" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>APPLY HERE!</strong></a></p> <p>Applicants with questions about eligibility can contact:</p> <p><strong><a href="mailto:southernafricajourney@WomenLifthealth.org">southernafricajourney@WomenLifthealth.org</a></strong></p> <h1>Who Qualifies for the 2027 Southern Africa Leadership Journey?</h1> <h3>Category of eligible people</h3> <p>The programme is designed for <strong>mid-career women leaders working in health and interconnected Health++ fields</strong>.</p> <p>Eligible applicants must:</p> <ul> <li>Identify as women.</li> <li>Have 10–25 years of work experience.</li> <li>Work in Health++ or an interconnected field affecting health.</li> <li>Be citizens of an eligible Southern African country.</li> <li>Reside and work in that eligible country.</li> <li>Demonstrate strong written and spoken English.</li> <li>Live within CAT, plus or minus one hour, for at least 75% of the programme.</li> <li>Be willing and able to participate fully in the programme.</li> <li>Submit the required recommendation letter.</li> </ul> <h3>Eligible countries</h3> <p>Applicants must be citizens who reside and work in:</p> <ol> <li>Angola</li> <li>Botswana</li> <li>Lesotho</li> <li>Malawi</li> <li>Mozambique</li> <li>Namibia</li> <li>South Africa</li> <li>eSwatini</li> <li>Zambia</li> <li>Zimbabwe</li> </ol> <h3>Race, ethnicity and continental eligibility</h3> <p>The programme does <strong>not specify a race or ethnicity restriction</strong> in the eligibility criteria provided.</p> <p>However, WomenLift Health explicitly encourages applications from minorities and historically marginalised and underrepresented communities in the countries it serves.</p> <p>Geographically, the programme is specifically targeted at <strong>Southern Africa</strong>, rather than being open to applicants from all African countries or all continents.</p> <p>Visit <a href="https://www.womenlifthealth.org/2027-southern-africa-leadership-journey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>HERE</strong></a> to learn more about the WomenLift Health 2027 Southern Africa Leadership Journey.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h1>Important Deadline</h1> <p>The application deadline is:</p> <p><strong>18 September 2026 at 11:59 PM Central Africa Time (CAT).</strong></p> <p>Applicants should ensure that the complete application, including the required recommendation letter, is submitted before the deadline.</p> <p>Because the programme is highly competitive and places are limited, applicants should avoid waiting until the final hours to complete their application.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.womenlifthealth.org/2027-southern-africa-leadership-journey/#apply" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>APPLY HERE!</strong></a></p> <h1>Conclusion</h1> <p>The <strong>WomenLift Health 2027 Southern Africa Leadership Journey</strong> offers a comprehensive leadership-development opportunity for experienced women leaders seeking to increase their influence and create meaningful health impact across Southern Africa.</p> <p>The programme goes beyond conventional professional training by combining leadership education, mentoring, executive coaching, peer learning, experiential residencies and a practical Health Leadership Project. Participants are given the opportunity to reflect on their leadership journey, develop new skills, build influential relationships and apply their learning to a real-world health challenge.</p> <p>Its <strong>Health++ approach</strong> is particularly significant because it recognises that sustainable health improvements require collaboration across sectors such as climate change, agriculture, food systems, education, technology, gender equity, economic policy and water and sanitation.</p> <p>For eligible women with <strong>10–25 years of professional experience</strong>, the programme provides an opportunity to strengthen leadership capabilities while joining a diverse network of women leaders from across Southern Africa.</p> <p>Participation is <strong>free</strong>, and programme costs, including required travel and lodging, are covered. However, selected participants must be prepared to make the necessary time commitment and attend the required virtual and in-person sessions.</p> <p>Women who are citizens, residents and workers in <strong>Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, eSwatini, Zambia or Zimbabwe</strong>, meet the professional-experience requirement, are confident in English and satisfy the time-zone requirement should consider applying.</p> <p>The application deadline is <strong>18 September 2026 at 11:59 PM CAT</strong>. Prospective applicants should carefully review the official programme calendar, eligibility requirements, Health Leadership Project guidelines and application instructions before submitting their applications.</p> <p>For women leaders ready to deepen their leadership influence, expand their regional network and translate their expertise into sustainable health impact, the WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey offers a significant platform for professional and personal transformation.</p> <p><strong>Discover more global <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=fellowship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fellowship</a>, <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=women" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Women</a>, <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=health" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Health</a> and <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=leader" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leadership Development</a> opportunities on OFY.</strong></p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/08/14/womenlift-health-2027-southern-africa-leadership-journey-fully-funded-leadership-programme-for-women-in-health/">WomenLift Health 2027 Southern Africa Leadership Journey: Fully Funded Leadership Programme for Women in Health</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>