The Harvard Global Leadership Fellowship to Boost Women in Public Health in Cape Verde

Boosting female leadership in the public health sector is crucial for Cape Verde's sustainable development. The Harvard Global Leadership Fellowship, with its international prestige and focus on capacity building and networking, is a valuable opportunity to transform the health landscape in the archipelago. The initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of Cape Verdean women, enabling them to rise to leadership positions and boost the innovation and effectiveness of public health policies.

The current public health context in Cape Verde presents specific challenges that can be tackled with strong and strategic female leadership. The prevalence of chronic diseases, the challenges posed by climate change and the ongoing need to improve access to basic health services are just some of the problems that require innovative solutions and inclusive approaches. Women, often on the front line of healthcare provision, have a unique perspective on the needs of communities and, with the right support, can be powerful agents of change.

The Harvard Leadership Fellowship offers an intensive programme combining advanced theoretical training with practical experiences and networking opportunities. The selected candidates will have access to courses on leadership, management, health policies and data analysis, taught by world-renowned experts. In addition, the fellowship provides the opportunity to network with other leaders in the field of public health at a global level, facilitating the sharing of knowledge and the creation of strategic partnerships.

The benefits for Cape Verde are manifold. Firstly, training women leaders will strengthen the national capacity to respond to public health challenges. Trained women leaders will be better prepared to develop and implement effective policies, manage resources efficiently and promote innovation in health services. Secondly, the programme will contribute to gender equality in the health sector by inspiring other women to pursue leadership careers. Increasing diversity in leadership can lead to a better understanding of the needs of the population and more inclusive decision-making.

To ensure the success of this project and maximise the impact of the scholarship, we propose a comprehensive action plan. This plan includes identifying and selecting qualified candidates, analysing the specific needs of the Cape Verdean health system, adapting the training programme to local realities and creating mentoring and follow-up mechanisms for the scholarship recipients. We also intend to establish strategic partnerships with the Cape Verde Ministry of Health and other relevant institutions, thus ensuring the sustainability of the project and its integration into national health policies. The participation of the scholarship holders in public health events and conferences in Cape Verde will enable them to share knowledge and disseminate good practices.

We believe that investing in women leaders in public health is investing in the future of Cape Verde. This Harvard leadership scholarship is a decisive step towards achieving the sustainable development goals related to health and gender equality. We believe that training and empowering women in a globalised and collaborative environment will boost Cape Verde's economic and social development.

Deadline for applications: 30 November 2025.

For more information and applications, please click on the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2yak4t2h