The VVLead Fellowship: A Programmatic Approach to Women's Leadership

THE VVLEAD FELLOWSHIPA PROGRAMMATIC APPROACH TO WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

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OVERVIEW

THERE IS WIDE EVIDENCE THAT INVESTING IN WOMEN IS GOOD FOR COUNTRIES’ ECONOMIC GROWTH AND

REPRESENTS EXCELLENT RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL AND ECONOMIC TERMS.

Numerous studies are beginning to explore the unique benefit of investing specifically in women leaders, as they are more likely to inspire

and mentor others, improve their own lives and the lives of others in their communities and serve as role models for younger women.

In 2013, Vital Voices Global Partnership, with funding from the UK government’s Department of International Development established

the VVLead Fellowship Program to support a global network of emerging and established women leaders who are addressing challenges

and providing innovative and sustainable solutions to ensure full participation in society and the economy.

The VVLead Fellowship Program has offered a tailored fellowship experience designed to fit the needs, goals and objectives of women

leaders around the world.

THE VVLEAD FELLOWSHIPA PROGRAMATIC APPROACH TO WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

A VARIETY OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED THE PROGRAM PILLARS:

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THE VVLEAD FELLOWSHIP: A PROGRAMATIC APPROACH TO WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

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THE VVLEAD FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM OFFERINGS WERE DESIGNED IN DIRECT RESPONSE

TO FELLOWS’ SELF-IDENTIFIED CAPACITY-BUILDING NEEDS.

Each program offering aimed to provide fellows the most relevant, innovative and accessible tools and information available. Using a

blended learning model, VVLead has offered online opportunities on the Desire2Learn (D2L) platform, in-person opportunities in the

various countries where fellows are represented and matching grants to support fellows’ work in their respective communities.

OVERVIEW


VVLead online courses were hosted on the Desire2Learn (D2L) platform. Throughout the three-year fellowship,

subject matter experts led online training on over a dozen course subjects on the D2L platform. The interactive

nature of the D2L provided fellows with a toolbox of resources, ideas, connections and support that could

be tapped into instantly from anywhere in the world.

ONLINE COURSES

PEER-TO-PEER EXCHANGES

SOUTH-SOUTH EXCHANGES

CHALLENGE GRANTS

Peer-to-Peer Exchanges (P2P) brought together a carefully curated group of 8-12 VVLead fellows for fellow-

led technical training, knowledge sharing and resource sharing. Each four-day program included a site visit

to a participating fellow’s place of work. These site visits evoked deeper discussions in which fellows could

openly share best practices, challenges and potential solutions in their leadership journeys.

The annual South-South Exchange brought together a large group of 50 to 80 of the most active VVLead

fellows for trainer-led and fellow-led resource sharing, knowledge sharing and technical training. The program

allowed fellows across countries and regions to meet in person and build upon connections formed online.

Challenge Grants were short-term, one-time matching grants designed to support the launch and kick-start

of new and innovative initiatives for which fellows may not have previously had the resources to support.

Throughout the three-year fellowship, VVLead offered four Challenge Grant opportunities: Two opportunities

to receive matching funds to organize a mentoring walk (up to $1,000 per grant), one opportunity to receive

matching funds for a social and behavior change communications initiative (up to $5,000 per grant), and

one opportunity to receive matching funds for a technology-based solution (up to $9,000 per grant). All

fellows who applied and received Challenge Grants were required to match a percentage of the funds they

received from the Challenge Grant.

VVLEAD FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM OFFERINGS


OVERVIEW


VITAL VOICES INVESTS IN WOMEN LEADERS WHO IMPROVE THE WORLD. WE INVEST IN LEADERS BECAUSE THEY

TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO IMPROVE SOCIETIES.

The VVLead Fellowship Program has supported a global network of emerging and

established women leaders from developing and emerging economies all over the world.

Fellows differed in language, age and professional background, including nonprofit,

corporate, social enterprise, public office, media outlets and others.

This heterogeneity has been one of the distinctive, unique features of the program.

Fellows reported having highly benefited from the diversity of the program, as it enables

out of the box thinking, meaningful collaboration and holistic leadership mentoring.

LEADERS ENGAGED IN CREATING LASTING CHANGE

Throughout the three-year fellowship,

Vital Voices has trained 330 fellows from

75 countries and five continents.

VVLEAD FELLOWS


330 75

“The mosaic

of participants

complemented each other

beautifully to draw deep,

long-lasting connections

and impact [together].”

– XIOMARA DIAZ NICARAGUA

FELLOWS FROM LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN38 FELLOWS FROM THE

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 24

FELLOWS FROMAFRICA199

FELLOWS FROM ASIA56

FELLOWS FROM THE PACIFIC ISLANDS3

FELLOWS FROM EASTERN EUROPE10

What fellows share is the ability to guide and inspire others, the desire to enhance their leadership skills and a demonstrated

commitment to tackling issues related to three main areas: economic empowerment for women and girls, violence against women

and harmful cultural practices.

FELLOWS AT A GLANCE


Sophie works with poor and marginalized grassroots groups in the slums of Nairobi. As a

child, she survived human trafficking, an experience that drove her to support young girls and

women in the effort to end modern slavery in Kenya. She works for Awareness Against Human

Trafficking (HAART), where, among other things, she coordinated the biggest rescue operation

in the history of the organization, managing the return of 31 trafficked women from Libya.

SOPHIE OTIENDE – KENYA

“After working on the strategic plan [VVLead Strategic Planning course], we have managed to almost triple our funding from

last year. Just last week, we managed to get a huge grant that will allow us to work on a manual for child trafficking. Our

arts project was a huge success and we are planning for next year and we already have partners for that. I have learned so

much and the knowledge has transformed the way we operate the organization.”

VVLEAD FELLOWSAT A GLANCE


María has always been interested in creative arts. During her university studies, María realized

that media work should be an act of social responsibility. In 2009, after having successful and

instructive collaborations in different varieties of media, María co-founded Math2me.com, a

website that provides math videos and explanations to students of all grades in Mexico. In

2012, she founded Math2meTV, a TV show that broadcasts the videos from math2me.com

for audiences with no internet access.

MARÍA GONZALEZ – MEXICO

“I have been involved with financial trainings about business. It has a methodology that is very rigid and strict. Basically,

all of these [other] organizations are the same. The difference with VVLead, they are taking into consideration the personal

side...If you know about your business and your technical information [but] you are not really solid or focused or in balance,

there is going to be something missing. There will be a flaw or failure because you are not prepared.”

FELLOWS AT A GLANCE


Shareefa is an entrepreneur with a history of pioneering new programs for women in Qatar and

the Gulf Cooperation Council. She is the co-founder of the Roudha Center for Entrepreneurship

and Innovation, a nonprofit providing innovative programs and advocacy for women looking

to open or grow their businesses. She also works directly with organizations and companies

to advocate for women’s economic development, and provide marketing and business

development consulting.

SHAREEFA FADHEL – QATAR

“Being part of this fellowship has helped me understand my strength as a leader and the support and influence I have among

other women and how that could help them grow as well as help me grow myself…My boundaries are not my country, my

boundaries are not where I come from. My boundaries are every other woman that I can help and support.”

A journalist with two decades of experience, Patralekha has reported from dozens of countries

for Indian and international media on social and development issues. Her columns are

among the very few in India which consistently focus on issues impacting women’s rights

and empowerment. Recently, Patralekha has drawn public attention to female feticide, rape

and marginalization of women.

PATRALEKHA CHATTERJEE – INDIA

“Being part of this international network of women leaders working in diverse disciplines is extremely empowering […]

Belonging to the VVLead network is encouraging and it has influenced my leadership style by helping me stay focused on

my driving mission all the time. […] As a VVLead Fellow, I feel encouraged and inspired by interactions with my colleagues

during webinars and on social media platforms.”


VVLEAD FELLOWSAT A GLANCE


THROUGHOUT THE THREE YEARS OF THE PROGRAM,

VVLEAD HAS FACILITATED CONNECTIONS AMONG

WOMEN LEADERS AROUND THE WORLD.

The program has provided fellows with multiple ways to get to know each

other and develop connections. Through online and in-person program

offerings, in tandem with social networking platforms, fellows have bonded

over common challenges and passions and shared best practices as it relates

to improving the social, economic and political conditions for women and girls.

THE POWER OF AN INTERNATIONAL ALL FEMALE NETWORK

CONNECT

Fellows consistently mentioned the inspiration they receive from being part of a non-

competitive, supportive network of women, helping each other achieve their personal

and professional leadership goals.

Through VVLead, a sisterhood was created, fellows were validated as leaders, professional

goals and action steps were clearly defined, and fellows took action toward achieving

greater impact in their communities. These specific aspects of the VVLead Fellowship

have been studied and described in the practice note Stories of Impact: The Case for

Women’s Leadership Networks.


“When I reflect on my VVLead

experience I think of the African

proverb, ‘if you want to go quickly,

go alone and if you want to go

farther, go together.’ So I felt that

being in this atmosphere of [other

women] gave me the knowledge

and courage to involve my

community in what I’m doing so

we can move forward and achieve

what we want.”

– Jawida Mansour, Palestine

Since debuting in March 2013, VVLead’s Facebook group has received:


“I think the international perspective is really useful because you are

able to understand a different approach to how it’s done in literally every

conceivable country. You are probably bound to find somebody who has

an opinion or can give you a tip on how it’s done in their country and

that’s really refreshing because it really challenges you to think beyond

your boundaries, country boundaries and continental boundaries, and

just have a global vision.”

– Muthoni Nduhiu, Kenya

“I’ve got women on the VVLead Platform that are keeping me accountable

and checking back with me regarding where I am in my process.”

– Jacqueline Mathaga, Kenya

“Being a VVLead Leader has really opened up the vista of my ideas of

leadership because before I thought it was just about getting resources

for my organization and now I realize it’s about relationship building.”

– Oreoluwa Somolu, Nigeria

CONNECTTHE VVLEAD FELLOWSHIP: A PROGRAMATIC APPROACH TO WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

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VVLEAD’S IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING INTERVENTIONS

WERE VITAL TO THE FELLOWSHIP’S CAPACITY-BUILDING MISSION.

The use of an interactive online platform was a cost-effective way to

provide learning opportunities for a large number of women. The most

active fellows also had the opportunity to engage in at least one in-person

training, where they strengthened skills and solidified connections.

On the DESIRE2LEARN (D2L) platform, fellows have been able to

access program resources, get information on new opportunities,

exchange ideas and attend webinars. For fellows with inconsistent

or limited internet connectivity, every course was stored and easily

downloadable on the platform. Over a dozen course subjects

have been delivered throughout the fellowship by subject matter

experts. Included among these subjects have been: Strategic

Planning, Human Resource Management, Financial Management,

Branding, Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Media Communications

and Fundraising.

To facilitate knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices,

fellows were invited to participate in in-person gatherings designed

to foster technical, communication and leadership skills. Each year,

VVLead organized three to four PEER-TO-PEER EXCHANGES during

which a small cohort of fellows were hand selected to participate in

a diverse set of programming opportunities including Vital Voices

staff-led workshops; fellow-led trainings; networking; and more. The

core aspects of the VVLead Peer-to-Peer learning model have been

described in VVLead Practice Note: Peer to Peer (P2P) Exchange:

Best Practices for Designing Learning Exchanges.

In addition, fifty to eighty of the most active fellows were selected

every year to attend the annual South-South Exchange. These

programs were carefully designed around the attending fellows.

These intensive programs aimed at equipping fellows with new

knowledge, tools, connections, strategies and ideas to tackle their

personal and professional leadership goals.

In addition, fifty to eighty of the most active fellows were selected

every year to attend the annual SOUTH-SOUTH EXCHANGE. These

larger gatherings have brought together fellows from all over the

world to discuss technical issue areas, challenges, best practices

and lessons learned, both from their individual work and their

participation in the program.


KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND EXCHANGING BEST PRACTICES

LEARNTHE VVLEAD FELLOWSHIP: A PROGRAMATIC APPROACH TO WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

“The P2P Exchange is an opportunity to stretch your brain

and let knowledge in.”

– Nicole Joseph-Chin, Trinidad and Tobago

I think VVLead’s approach is unique. The webinars, the

in-person workshops. […] It’s the whole package.”

– Judith Awondo, Cameroon

“Webinars and the information I gained from them

supported my ideas but also provided framework for

proper organization of my efforts. Also, peer to peer

exchanges generated great inspiration and impetus to

create a new initiative.”

– Ljudmila Popovic, Montenegro


LEARNTHE VVLEAD FELLOWSHIP: A PROGRAMATIC APPROACH TO WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

According to the results of the 2015 year-end survey, 99% of VVLead

fellows reported an increase in capacity relevant to their respective mission and

work.

99%

In 2015, 95% of VVLead fellows participated in at least one program

activity and 85% in at least three program activities.

95%

THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE PROGRAM, FELLOWS HAVE CONNECTED, SHARED KNOWLEDGE, RECEIVED TRAINING AND MENTORED ONE ANOTHER.

As a result of their participation in VVLead, fellows across regions and sectors have

started collaborations with one another.

COLLABORATE


CREATING SOLUTIONS ACROSS REGIONS AND SECTORS


NICOLE JOSEPH CHIN of Ms. Brafit, Inc. (Trinidad

and Tobago) and XIOMARA DIAZ HOPKINS of

Garden Café (Nicaragua) met during the Peer-

to-Peer Exchange in Argentina. Right away, they

decided to start a collaboration to give girls in their

communities an opportunity to learn from one

another. They created the “Beading Exchange

between Nicaragua and Trinidad” (BENT). BENT,

inspired by the VVLead Peer-to-Peer Exchange

model, is an online collaboration that connects

at-risk girls from Trinidad and Tobago and

Nicaragua. Every Saturday, the girls connect

via Skype to exchange skills, language and

culture. The program, which kicked-off in August

2015, has both an entrepreneurial and personal

development focus. Girls learn how to make craft

beads to create sustainable employment and are

educated on topics of marketing and sales, but

also learn about topics such as feminine health,

hygiene, life skills and leadership.

NICOLE AND XIOMARA

EMPOWERING GIRLS IN NICARAGUA AND TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

“We met in Argentina during the Peer-to-Peer Exchange and the rest is geography! Global sisters speak one language!

Our girls in Trinidad and Tobago are engaging in a rich exchange with new sisters in Nicaragua, thanks to Xiomara Diaz

Hopkins and her willingness to embrace true sisterhood of empowerment and leadership.”

–NICOLE JOSEPH-CHIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

COLLABORATE


“For me, collaboration is the key…I believe the problem is so big – you’re never going to solve it yourself. The more

effective collaborations you have, the better it is. If you think of the cohort as a team, in certain places, they have had more

experiences than me. I just have to take a back seat and be open to learning. In other places, I have strengths or skills that

they don’t have. It is up to me to share it with them.”

–ELSAMARIE D’SILVA, INDIA


VVLead fellows JANE ANYANGO ODONGO (Kenya) and ELSAMARIE D’SILVA (India) met at

a Peer-to Peer-Exchange in Nepal and started

exchanging information, ideas and know-how

on denouncing and ultimately tackling sexual

violence and harassment in their respective

countries. Jane is the founder and team leader

of Polycom Development Project, a community-

based organization aimed at empowering

young women in Kibera (Nairobi) to be able

to manage their lives positively and develop a

voice to influence policy and decision makers on

issues that affect the lives of girls. Elsa launched

Safecity in 2012, a platform that crowdsources

personal stories of sexual harassment and abuse

in public spaces. The platform aggregates data

to highlight hot spots on a map indicating

trends of sexual harassment. Individuals and

local authorities can access this tool to receive

information, identify trends and ultimately

develop responses and preventative strategies

against sexual violence and harassment.

In 2015, Elsa and Jane received a VVLead

Challenge Grant. Through this grant, Elsa

consulted with Jane in developing, adapting

and implementing an online platform to monitor

and respond to sexual harassment in Kenya,

modeled after Safecity in India.

JANE AND ELSA

MAKING CITIES SAFER IN INDIA AND KENYA

ABOUT VITAL VOICES

Vital Voices Global Partnership invests in women leaders who

improve the world. Founded by former U.S. Secretary of State

Hillary Rodham Clinton, and guided by the belief that women are

essential to progress in their communities, we partner with leaders

from more than 140 countries who advance economic opportunity,

increase political and public leadership, and end violence against

women. Our programs in strategic planning, business, advocacy

and communications build critical skills needed for creating

transformational change at scale. Through our global platform,

women leaders expand their connections and visibility, accelerating

shared progress for all.

AUTHORS:

LUCINA DI MECO

Senior Program Manager Global ProgramsVital Voices Global Partnership

JANA SPACEK

Senior Program Coordinator Global Programs Vital Voices Global Partnership

LAURA THOMPSON

Program CoordinatorGlobal ProgramsVital Voices Global Partnership

ELYSE GAINOR

Program AssistantGlobal ProgramsVital Voices Global Partnership

ELIZABETH ANDREWS

Monitoring & Evaluation SpecialistGlobal ProgramsVital Voices Global Partnership

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:We want to extend a special thank you to

VVLead fellows. This publication would

not have been possible without their

feedback, stories, ideas and commitment

during their participation years in this

fellowship program.

Vital Voices also gracefully acknowledges

the support of the UK Government’s

Department for International

Development (DfID).


THE VVLEAD FELLOWSHIPA PROGRAMATIC APPROACH TO WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

Documents

The VVLead Fellowship: A Programmatic Approach to Women's Leadership