Women Leadership Academy​

The Women Leadership Academy (WLA), an initiative of the Aga Khan University, aims to enhance women’s leadership and decision-making capacity within civil society.

WLA targets mid-level female professionals working in Civil Society Organizations in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Madagascar and Mozambique) and Asia, (Pakistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and India). ​​


The aims of the academy are to:

  • Help upcoming women leaders to demonstrate creativity, communicate their vision, inspire and ignite the passion of their people to achieve the best in a continuously changing environment
  • ​Deliver leadership knowledge, skills, tools, support and networks for the upcoming women leaders

Funded by Global Affairs Canada and Aga Khan Foundation Canada, the WLA programme will be delivered free of charge to the participants as blended-learning, with modules delivered online and one in-person session. It will launch in Kenya and Uganda first, then roll out in phases in the other East African and Asian countries.​​


Course Structure

The program is divided into five modules and will run for six months. The modules are: 
  1. Leading​ in our context 
  2. Leading self and others 
  3. Leading for impact 
  4. Life, financial and business skills 
  5. Learning to learn, using and building a support structure​​

Mentorship and coaching

Upon successful completion of the course, a certificate will be awarded to the participants followed by enrolment into the alumni program for networking and mentorship. The alumni network will enable the participants to interact, have discussions on mutually agreed topics and create a platform for mentorship, coaching and exchange programs whenever possible. 

Learn more​