The Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) Fellowship Programme 2026 is offering an opportunity for early-career women lawyers across Africa to gain practical experience, legal training and professional mentorship while working to advance justice and the rights of women and children.
The programme places 10 early-career African women lawyers with human rights and justice organisations in Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and The Gambia. Fellows work alongside legal aid providers, selected university legal aid clinics and government prosecution services, gaining hands-on experience across different stages of the justice process.
The programme is designed to help develop the next generation of African women lawyers working in human rights, strategic litigation and legal advocacy.
About the CFJ Fellowship Programme
Beginning in August 2026, the programme formerly known as the Waging Justice for Women Fellowship Programme was renamed the CFJ Fellowship Programme. According to CFJ, the recruitment process, eligibility requirements and application procedures remain unchanged.
The programme is administered in partnership with the Legal Empowerment Fund at the Fund for Global Human Rights.
Through the fellowship, participants receive practical exposure to legal work involving women and children, particularly cases and advocacy related to child marriage and violence against women and children.
Fellows are placed within organisations where they can contribute directly to legal services while developing their professional skills.
What Fellows Will Do
The CFJ Fellowship Programme provides fellows with immersive practical experience rather than classroom-based training alone.
Depending on their placement, fellows may undertake responsibilities including:
- Legal research
- Drafting legal documents
- Supporting clients
- Legal representation in court
- Providing legal services to women and children
- Supporting strategic litigation
- Advocacy for human rights
- Working on cases involving violence against women and children
- Addressing issues surrounding child marriage
The programme therefore provides an opportunity for early-career lawyers to strengthen both their legal and advocacy experience while working within established justice organisations.
Training and Mentorship
Fellows receive mentoring and training from experienced professionals working across Africa’s human rights and justice sectors.
The programme provides access to a network that includes:
- Human rights experts
- Lawyers
- Judges
- Activists
- Academics
- Justice-sector professionals
This professional exposure is intended to help fellows strengthen their legal skills and develop the knowledge required to advocate effectively for women and children.
Technology and Access to Justice
Technology is also an important component of the CFJ Fellowship Programme.
As part of CFJ’s focus on using technology to expand access to justice, fellows receive training in innovative technological tools. This work is supported through CFJ’s partnerships with Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab and the Oxford Institute of Technology.
Fellows are encouraged to apply these technologies to their legal and advocacy work where appropriate, giving participants exposure to emerging approaches to improving access to justice.
Fellowship Locations
The programme places fellows in organisations located in four African countries:
- Kenya
- Malawi
- South Africa
- The Gambia
Placements may include legal aid organisations, selected university legal aid clinics and government prosecution services.
This provides fellows with exposure to different institutional approaches to delivering legal services and pursuing justice.
Who Is the Fellowship For?
The CFJ Fellowship Programme is designed specifically for early-career African women lawyers.
The programme is particularly relevant to lawyers seeking to build careers in areas such as:
- Human rights law
- Women’s rights
- Children’s rights
- Strategic litigation
- Legal advocacy
- Legal aid
- Access to justice
- Public-interest law
- Gender-based violence
- Child protection
Applicants should review the official fellowship requirements carefully before applying, as the programme has specific eligibility criteria.
Alumni Network and Long-Term Support
The benefits of the programme extend beyond the fellowship placement.
After completing the programme, fellows are inducted into the CFJ Fellowship Alumni Network. The network provides opportunities for continued professional support, knowledge sharing and career development.
This allows former fellows to remain connected with other lawyers and justice professionals participating in the programme.
For early-career African women lawyers, the fellowship offers a combination of practical legal experience, professional mentorship, specialised training and exposure to leading human rights practitioners.
Participants have the opportunity to work directly within justice organisations while developing skills in legal research, drafting, client support, court representation and advocacy.
The programme also offers exposure to technology-driven approaches to improving access to justice and creates an ongoing professional network through the CFJ Fellowship Alumni Network.
How to Apply for the CFJ Fellowship Programme
Interested applicants should visit the official Clooney Foundation for Justice fellowship application page to review the current eligibility requirements and submit their applications.
Apply Now: CFJ Fellowship Programme Application
Official Fellowship Information: Clooney Foundation for Justice – CFJ Fellowship Programme
Applicants should ensure that they carefully review the official information before submitting their applications.
Key Details
- Fellowship: CFJ Fellowship Programme
- Former name: Waging Justice for Women Fellowship Programme
- Organisation: Clooney Foundation for Justice
- Target group: Early-career African women lawyers
- Fellows: 10
- Locations: Kenya, Malawi, South Africa and The Gambia
- Focus: Human rights, women’s rights, children’s rights and access to justice
- Training: Legal skills, advocacy and technology
- Mentorship: Human rights experts, lawyers, judges, activists and academics
- Alumni: CFJ Fellowship Alumni Network
The CFJ Fellowship Programme offers early-career African women lawyers an opportunity to strengthen their legal and advocacy careers while contributing to efforts to advance justice for women and children. With practical placements, expert mentorship, technology training and continued alumni support, applicants interested in human rights and public-interest law are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and apply through the official CFJ platform.
