Applications are now open for the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey 2027, a free leadership development programme for women working in health across Southern Africa.
The programme supports women who want to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their networks and create meaningful health impact. In addition, participants will receive mentorship, coaching and practical learning opportunities.
WomenLift Health Leadership Journey 2027 Overview
The programme combines online learning with in-person activities. Therefore, selected participants can learn while continuing their professional work.
Programme highlights include:
- Programme: WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey
- Duration: Approximately 12 months
- Format: Hybrid
- Cost: Free
- Target: Women leaders in health
- Region: Southern Africa
Furthermore, WomenLift Health will cover programme-related travel and accommodation costs for the required in-person sessions.
You can also browse OpportunityLab’s Fellowship opportunities for other leadership and professional development programmes.
Who Can Apply for the Women’s Health Leadership Programme?
Applicants must meet the main eligibility requirements.
They must:
- Identify as a woman.
- Live and work in an eligible Southern African country.
- Have strong written and spoken English skills.
- Work within the CAT time zone for at least 75% of the programme.
- Have 10–25 years of work experience.
- Work in health or a related field covered by the programme’s broader Health++ approach.
Eligible countries include Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
However, applicants should review the full requirements before applying.
What the Leadership Development Programme Offers
Selected participants will receive several forms of professional support.
First, they will take part in interactive learning sessions. These sessions cover leadership, personal growth and challenges affecting the health sector.
Next, participants will receive group mentoring from experienced health leaders. They will also receive one-on-one executive coaching to help them improve their leadership abilities.
In addition, the programme includes two major in-person experiences:
- Leadership Immersion
- Leadership Lift-Off
Participants will also develop a Health Leadership Project. Through this project, they will work on a real public health issue while applying their leadership skills.
Health Leadership Project and Impact
The Health Leadership Project gives participants the chance to turn their ideas into practical action.
For example, projects may address issues involving health, gender, technology, agriculture, climate change, education or other connected areas.
As a result, participants can develop solutions that address health challenges from a wider systems perspective.
The programme also encourages collaboration across different sectors. This approach recognises that better health outcomes often depend on areas such as food systems, water, education, technology and gender equality.
Why Women Should Consider This Leadership Opportunity
This programme goes beyond classroom training. Instead, it combines leadership development with mentoring, coaching, networking and practical project work.
Moreover, successful participants become part of a wider WomenLift Health community. This network can continue to provide professional connections and support after the programme ends.
Therefore, the opportunity may be especially valuable for experienced women who want to increase their influence within the health sector.
Application Deadline and How to Apply
The application deadline is 18 September 2026 at 11:59 PM CAT.
Applicants should also check the programme calendar carefully because attendance at the required sessions is mandatory.
For the official application and full eligibility information, visit WomenLift Health.
If you are interested in women-focused leadership and development programmes, you can also explore similar opportunities on OpportunityLab. For example, the AWARD GROW Fellowship Programme 2026 supports women in agricultural research and leadership across sub-Saharan Africa.
The WomenLift Health programme is specifically targeted at mid-career women in Southern Africa’s health sector, so applicants should carefully check the eligibility criteria before applying.
