The Girl Child Long Walk team is thrilled to announce our second cohort of fellows. This group of 15 passionate, brilliant, faith-inspired change agents from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the United States will collectively explore global perspectives and experiences at the intersection of patriarchy and faith. 

Building on our fellowship pilot, this cohort of fellows will reflect, connect, and develop an idea for an impact project over the course of nine months. The core curriculum for the fellowship is the ebook, The Girl Child & Her Long Walk to Freedom: Putting Faith to Work Through Love to Break Ancient Chains. It will be augmented by outside experts and partners, engagement with our global community through our app, the Girl Child Long Walk Hub, and ongoing one-on-one coaching and support. 

The cohort of fellows includes women and men around the world focused on improving the well-being of girls and women, across a wide range of conditions — from widows in east Africa and vulnerable girls in Southeast Asia, to working with indigenous groups in Kenya and youth activists in Indonesia, across Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist communities. Each fellow will bring their own voice and journey to the shared fellowship experience, enriching their understanding of the root causes that limit the potential of girl children everywhere.

Our process for arriving at this group of exceptional leaders was rigorous. We received dozens of nominations for fellows from our partners and advisors. We engaged former fellows as outside reviewers, interviewing 25 applicants, before identifying the 15 selected fellows. 

It is heartening to encounter such committed, talented leaders working deeply in their communities to help liberate girls and women from the real impacts of patriarchy. 

We look forward to sharing more about these incredible people in the months ahead.