The Women in Leadership Network (WILN) was launched in Monrovia, Liberia, in 2013. The network promotes the Australian Government’s scholarships to potential female applicants from eligible countries in Africa. It also supports scholarship recipients who pursue their postgraduate studies in Australia. 

The WILN is an exciting opportunity for women to join other alumnae in supporting one another and female scholars studying in Australia. The WILN offers a discussion platform about issues affecting women and shares valuable insights for the advancement of African women. 

Members of the WILN within alumni associations can use their skills and influence to promote gender, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) principles through the association’s leadership, strategies and activities. Examples of past WILN activities are: 

  • The WILN Tanzania chapter (part of the Tanzania Australia Alumni Association) organised and facilitated a Gender and Development stakeholder workshop (with a focus on women’s economic empowerment and ending gender-based Violence in Tanzania) in Dar Es Salaam. 
  • The WILN Kenya (part of the Kenyan Australia Alumni Association) organised and facilitated a Disability Inclusion and Mentorship workshop. 
  • The WILN Rwanda (part of the Rwandan Australia Alumni Association) organised and facilitated a Gender and Development stakeholder workshop (with a focus on women’s entrepreneurship and women living with a disability). 
  • The WILN Zambia members (with the Zambia Australia Alumni Association) donated wheelchairs to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka. 

Membership, for WILN, is open to all Australia Awards/Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) African alumnae and registration is open throughout the year. 

Join in and make a difference, by completing the Registration form and email. Once registered, an Australia Awards Officer will contact you and provide you with details about opportunities for engagement.