CFJ Waging Justice for Women Fellowship 2026

Are you an early-career woman lawyer from Sub-Saharan Africa? Join a powerful network of changemakers advancing justice, accountability, and equality for women and girls. Apply now for the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) Waging Justice for Women Fellowship 2026.

📖 About CFJ Waging Justice for Women Fellowship

Opportunity Details

• Date Published: July 28, 2025
• Application Deadline: August 04, 2025
• Category: Fellowship, Women
• Eligible Locations: Africa

🎯 Fellowship Responsibilities

Fellows are expected to:

• Support the legal work of their host organizations, which may include:
  • Providing direct legal assistance to individuals.
  • Conducting legal research and representation.
  • Drafting submissions and engaging in advocacy.
  • Speaking at events.
• Identify and support at least one strategic litigation case designed to advance women and girls' rights in national, regional, or international courts or UN mechanisms.
• Carry out outreach activities to students at schools or universities on advancing women and girls' rights during the fellowship.
• Engage in Fellowship Program activities, including mentoring, training, and networking opportunities.

🎁 Benefits of CFJ Waging Justice for Women Fellowship

• Paid work placement at a leading human rights organization in Africa focusing on gender justice issues and strategic litigation.
• Mentorship by WJW's Head of Fellowships and host organizations' supervisors.
• Training programs:
  • At least one in-person convening.
  • Extensive monthly online training led by leading human rights experts.
• Networking opportunities with human rights experts, lawyers, judges, activists, and academics.
• Participation in events such as Obama Foundation's Girls Opportunity Alliance.
• Access to Alumni Program for continued support, knowledge sharing, and collaboration.

💰 Cost

• Host organizations will provide fellows with the equivalent in local currency of a $25,000 USD gross annual salary.
• Additional travel or work expenses may be covered at the discretion of CFJ and/or the host organization.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

General Requirements

• African woman lawyer accredited to practice law in the country of one of the host organizations.
• Early-career professional: Less than five years of professional experience post-accreditation.
• Law degree from a recognized academic institution.

Practicing Certificate and Work Authorization

• Must be admitted to practice as a lawyer in the country of the selected host organization.
• Fellows are expected to be based in the host organization's country and should have the right to work there.
• Host organizations are based in The Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania.
• Regional organizations like Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) (The Gambia) and Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) (Tanzania) may accept applications from candidates licensed to practice law in other African countries.

Relevant Work Experience

• At least two years of post-qualification experience in the legal field.
• Preference for candidates with experience in women's rights and working in human rights organizations.

📅 Application Date and Process

• Application Period: July 1 – August 4, 2025.
• Shortlisted Candidates: Contacted for interviews in September 2025.
• Offers Made: November 2025.
• Fellowship Start Date: January 2026.

📌 Application Deadline

August 04, 2025

🌐 Application Portal

• View details of CFJ Waging Justice for Women Fellowship.
• Apply for CFJ Waging Justice for Women Fellowship.

For more information, visit the official CFJ website.

• A paid work placement at a leading human rights organization in Africa focusing on gender justice issues and strategic litigation.
• Mentorship by WJW's Head of Fellowships and host organizations' supervisors.
• At least one in-person convening and an extensive monthly online training program led by leading human rights experts.
• Networking opportunities with leading human rights experts, lawyers, judges, activists, and academics, and participation in events such as Obama Foundation's Girls Opportunity Alliance.
• Access to the WJW Fellowship Alumni Program network for continued support, knowledge sharing, and collaboration.