Deadline: 28 April 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
The Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) and Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA) have been implementing high impact programmes, including the ARROW Advocacy Institute, Women of the South Speak Out (WOSSO) Fellowship and African Women’s Leadership Institute (AWLI).
These fellowships have yielded tangible outcomes of meaningful and inclusive engagement of young women in all their diversities on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) advocacy at national, regional and global levels.
Building on these learnings, we have now launched the ARROW – AMwA Advocacy Institute 2026 (AAI)!
The institute aims to strengthen Global South solidarity, contextualise feminist movement building through national and local experiences, and serve our constituencies amidst the rise of anti-rights and anti-gender movements. With the realisation that it is fundamental to work across movements and geographies to create necessary political and social change at the global level, this programme intends to serve as a platform for and of the next generation feminist leaders from Asia, Pacific and Africa regions.
ARROW – AMwA Advocacy Institute (AAI) Objectives
In 2026, the AAI intends to welcome a cohort of 150 young women in all their diversities from the Asia, Pacific and Africa region. We envision strengthening and sustaining the capacity of these young women to engage in technical and intergenerational initiatives through national level advocacy.
Thematic priorities
- SRHR, Reproductive Justice, Bodily Autonomy and Gender Equality
- Trade, Security and International Systems
- Economic Justice and Financing Human Rights
- Climate Justice
- Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Political Equality and Systems of Oppression: Backlash, anti-democratic, anti-liberal power rise
Eligibility criteria
The ARROW – AMwA Advocacy Institute (AAI) is open to young women in all their diversities from Asia, Pacific and Africa region, with:
- Age 18–35 (Individuals born on or after July 1, 1992).
- Minimum 2 years of experience on human rights, gender equality, or sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) at community, national, or regional level (this does not have to be exclusively remunerative).
- Affiliation with an organisation/institution aligned with progressive Gender Equality and SRHR values.
- Uphold strong feminist values and principles.
- Nationals of an eligible country from Asia,Pacific or Africa region and currently residing in any eligible countries from Asia, Pacific or Africa region.
Eligible Countries
Africa region
- Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Benin, Senegal, Ghana, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Togo
Asia region
- South – East Asia : Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Laos PDR, Vietnam
- South Asia : Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives
- Central Asia : Mongolia
- East Asia : China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea
- West Asia : United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar
Pacific region
- Fiji, Papua New Guinea(PNG), Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia(FSM), Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu
Please note that the countries listed above constitute the full list of eligible countries for this cycle. If your country is not included, applicants from that country are unfortunately not eligible to apply at this time. Eligible countries were selected based on programme priorities, resource considerations, and the need to ensure balanced and proportional representation across subregions in Asia and the Pacific. We acknowledge that transformative feminist advocacy is taking place across many more countries than we are currently able to include. While we are unable to accommodate all contexts in this cycle, we strongly encourage you to stay connected with ARROW and AMwA by following our communications channels for future opportunities as the programme evolves and expands.
Modality and Format
150 young women from the Asia, Pacific and Africa regions will be selected through an established selection process to engage in the following two components:
- Capacity Strengthening Webinars : A series of six capacity strengthening webinars, one overall orientation session, weekly office hours and three regional capacity strengthening caucuses will be facilitated over a span of seven weeks for the entire cohort of 150 selected participants. The sessions will span over seven weeks, from May 29 to July 10, 2026, with sessions each week and regional caucuses as deemed essential.
- South2South Feminist Fellowship : Participants from the webinar will then undergo an additional selection process to get through the fellowship component. During the fellowship, fellows will be technically supported to implement national advocacy plans. A small fellowship amount will also be granted to each selected fellow. A total of 50 selected fellows will be further engaging in the fellowship component.
How to Apply
Click here to be an ARROW Advocacy Institute Scholar
Please read the guidance document below before applying.
Duration
The institute webinars will run from 29th May, 2026 to 10th July 2026.
Important Notes
The AAI 2026 will be conducted primarily in English. French interpretation will be provided.
(Please mention if you require international sign-language interpretation services in the application form. As organisers, we will try to accommodate your request to the best of our ability.)
Have questions? Reach out to us
If you have any questions, reach out to us at aai2026@arrow.org.my or DM us on ARROW’s social media platforms.