Deadline: January 31, 2026
The WomenLift Health x WILAN Midwifery Leadership Journey 2026 is a fully funded, 12‑month leadership development programme designed to strengthen leadership capacity, influence, and networks among women advancing midwifery and maternal and newborn health (MNH) across West Africa.
This prestigious journey supports mid‑ to senior‑career women leaders to deepen their leadership practice, expand their impact, and contribute meaningfully to respectful, high‑quality maternal and newborn care in their countries and across the region.
Programme Overview
The WomenLift Health x WILAN Midwifery Leadership Journey 2026 runs from May 2026 to April 2027 and brings together a cohort of women leaders working at the intersection of midwifery, health systems, policy, education, research, regulation, innovation, and advocacy.
The programme combines immersive in‑person learning, virtual engagements, coaching, mentoring, and applied leadership practice to support participants to grow as values‑driven, systems‑level leaders.
Programme Duration: 12 months
Programme Period: May 2026 – April 2027
Application Deadline: 31 January 2026 (11:59 PM WAT)
Countries of Focus
Applicants must reside and work in one of the following countries:
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Senegal
- Burkina Faso
Who Should Apply
The programme is designed for women who:
- Identify as women leaders
- Are mid‑ to senior‑career professionals with 10–25 years of work experience
- Are actively working to advance midwifery or maternal and newborn health (MNH)
- Have strong written and verbal English communication skills beyond basic technical communication
Eligible applicants may include professionals working in:
- Clinical midwifery and healthcare delivery
- Midwifery education and training
- Health policy, governance, and regulation
- Research and academia
- Health innovation and systems strengthening
- Programme management, leadership, and advocacy
Women leaders who are not midwives, but whose work directly strengthens, elevates, or enables midwifery practice and maternal and newborn health outcomes, are also encouraged to apply.
What the Programme Offers
Participants in the WomenLift Health x WILAN Midwifery Leadership Journey 2026 will benefit from a comprehensive leadership experience that includes:
In‑Person Leadership Residencies
- Leadership Immersion Residency – held during the programme to deepen leadership practice and peer learning
- Leadership Lift‑Off Residency – held at the end of the journey to consolidate learning and prepare participants for continued leadership impact
Virtual Learning and Engagement
- Regular virtual workshops and leadership learning sessions
- Structured peer learning and dialogue opportunities
Coaching and Mentorship
- One‑on‑one executive coaching
- Group mentoring sessions with experienced leaders
Applied Leadership Project
- A self‑directed leadership project focused on advancing respectful, high‑quality maternal and newborn care
- Practical application of leadership tools and learning within participants’ organisations and systems
Global Fellowship Network
Upon completion, participants join the WomenLift Health Global Fellows Network, becoming part of a lifelong global community of women leaders in health and midwifery.
Funding and Cost Coverage
The programme is fully funded. This includes:
- Programme participation costs
- Travel and accommodation for all required in‑person residencies
There are no programme fees for selected participants.
Commitment Requirements
Applicants must be able to:
- Fully participate in all virtual learning sessions
- Attend both mandatory in‑person residencies
- Commit time to coaching, mentoring, and the leadership project throughout the 12‑month journey
Why Apply for the WomenLift Health x WILAN Midwifery Leadership Journey 2026
This programme is ideal for women leaders who want to:
- Strengthen their leadership identity and influence
- Drive systems‑level change in midwifery and MNH
- Build meaningful regional and global professional networks
- Contribute to improved maternal and newborn health outcomes
The WomenLift Health x WILAN Midwifery Leadership Journey 2026 offers a rare opportunity to grow as a leader while remaining deeply connected to real‑world impact.
Need Support With Your Application?
We provide proposal drafting, refining, and review support to help you submit a strong and competitive application.
📩 Contact us for application support, proposal drafting, refining, and review.
