The 2023 Mawazo Fellowship Programme launched on Monday 22nd May 2023 with an introduction to the Mawazo Institute, the Fellowship Programme and the Mawazo Learning Exchange (MLEx) e-learning Platform. This was held virtually and saw the 40 new Fellows welcomed from across the African continent including Southern, Central, Western and Eastern Africa.
Present to welcome the Fellows was Dr. Fiona Moejes, CEO Mawazo Institute, who was excited to have the 40 women on board.
“I want to extend a warm welcome to our new Fellows to this Fellowship Programme. This is a sisterhood of researchers that support each other by creating strong connections, whilst also bringing a sense of belonging to people who might feel isolated and alone.” she said.
She took the Fellows through the Mawazo Institute ethos, assuring them of the team’s maximum support.
“We are here for you. We want to hear from you and listen to your needs. The Mawazo team is receptive and reachable, and we are doing this because we firmly believe you are Africa’s future thought leaders and Changemakers!” she concluded.
Present too was the Director of Programmes, Dr. Caroline Mose, who took the Fellows through the Programme and its benefits, including providing professional development courses, mentorship and networking, financial support for research activities, and policy and public outreach platforms to increase their visibility. She said that the voices of women on our continent are marginalised and more so the voices of women scholars and women in academia and the reason why Mawazo exists is to bridge the gap.
“We have built a network of African women experts who are in strategic spaces where we can influence policy and discourse and elevate the big ideas and voices of African women researchers and thought leaders,” she concluded, adding that the Fellowship Programme will run from 23rd May to 30th August 2024.
The new Fellows were excited to be among those that made it to the Fellowship Programme. Some had this to say:
"So privileged to meet someone from Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa in one place. We are all married women with kids and were able to speak openly about the issues of balancing an academic career and family responsibilities. So thankful to be here." Nanchin Winifred Kazeh (Nigeria).
"I already have a family through this platform in the first interaction with my Fellows." Jacinta Kinyunzu (Kenya).
The kick-off was preceded by the first of the MLEx CoreCourses on Personal Leadership facilitated by incredible Mawazo friends at Open Circles and the amazing Hope Chigudu who all focussed on building braver and bolder leaders and those that are self-aware. The workshop took three days.
"One myth around vulnerability is thinking you can go at it alone. What Mawazo is trying to show is that you don't have to go at it alone. The PhD journey can be lonely and hard - but you don't have to go at it alone anymore. You have a support system in the Fellowship Programme" Liesel Scott, Open Circles.
In response, Mary Wetani Agoriwo (Ghana) said: "Mawazo has helped me to find the meaning of my name. I had never taken the time to find out the meaning of my name."
"Within 30 seconds of talking, I felt like we had been friends for years." Lilian Mulati (Kenya).
The week ended with a buzz, with the Fellows looking forward to the next Courses. For more updates about the Fellowship, check in with our social media in upcoming weeks.
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