Mawulisa
Fellowship
A 6-month leadership support program for emerging and mid-career young African LBTQ+ womxn/activists from Francophone West African countries.
50+
Fellows Supported
8+
African Countries Supported
100%
LBQ Focused
Empowering
LBTQ+ Womxn
Leaders
The MawuLisa Fellowship Program fills a crucial void by providing leadership support to queer activists in Francophone West African countries.
In many Francophone countries, queer activists face significant challenges due to a lack of access to leadership support and resources. This inequity inspired the creation of the MawuLisa Fellowship Program.
By focusing on the specific needs of these individuals, this program aims to empower them to become effective agents of change in their local communities and beyond.
Why MawuLisa?
This fellowship is more than a program. it’s a movement to support and celebrate LBTQ+ leadership in West Africa.
Financial Support
Stipends to support your
activism and reduce
financial barriers to
participation.
Develop Leadership
Gain tools, skills, and confidence to amplify your impact in your communities.
Mentorship
One-on-one support from experienced LBTQ+ leaders and organizers.
Build Community
Connect with fellow activists across Francophone West Africa and build lasting networks.
Who Should Apply
Supporting emerging and mid-career LBTQ+ womxn activists in Francophone West Africa
You identify as LBTQ+ womxn (including lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer, non-binary, and gender expansive individuals)
You are an emerging or mid-career activist engaged in grassroots organizing or community work
You face challenges due to lack of access to leadership support and resources in your region
You live in or are from Francophone West African countries (Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin, Togo, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritania, etc.)
Join us when applications open!
Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know about the next cohort.
Meet our 2024/2025 Fellows
Hear from past fellows about their experience and impact
Jay
Nigeria
Mawulisa not only believed in my voice, but also invested in it. The scholarship provided me with an environment conducive to learning, as well as the resources I needed to put everything I learned into practice.
Rubi
Ghana
The way I see it, being queer means never giving up, always setting goals, and of course, always trying to reach them.
Faidy
Ivory Coast
My Project aims to address the problem of insecurity, misinformation, and discrimination and exclusion of LGBTQ women and girls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the MawuLisa Fellowship
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We need your Support
Initiatives such as Mawulisa are organized by African queer youth initiatives. As the global funding landscape shifts, African queer organizations are increasingly confronted with budget cuts. You can express your support by donating or sharing our work with someone in your network who may be able to help.
