CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
NETWORK OF EAST-WEST WOMEN
2003 LEGAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
SPECIAL SESSION: REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS/SEXUAL HEALTH IN
LATVIA, LITHUANIA, and SLOVAKIA
The Network of East-West Women (NEWW) is pleased to announce a call for
applications for a special session of the 2003 Legal Fellowship Program.
The special session of the Program offers young women lawyers from
LATVIA, LITHUANIA and SLOVAKIA an opportunity to strengthen their
research, advocacy and litigation skills in the area of REPRODUCTIVE
RIGHTS and SEXUAL HEALTH, develop networks with other women's rights
attorneys, and design projects to advance women's rights and policy
related to reproductive rights and sexual health in their home
countries. Three Fellows will be selected for this session.
2003 marks the sixth year of the Legal Fellowship Program, and the
special session is funded by the Public Health Program of the Open
Society Institute. Selected Fellows will join an alumnae network of 20
Legal Fellows working to advance women's rights throughout Central,
Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the Newly Independent States and the
Russia Federation (CEE/NIS).
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: October 1, 2002
PROGRAM DATES: U.S. Placement February 1, 2003-June 1, 2003 In-Country
Follow-On Projects June 1, 2003-May 31, 2004
DURATION: 16 Months
ELIGIBILITY:
Applications will be accepted from women lawyers from Latvia, Lithuania
and Slovakia who have completed their law studies within the past five
years; applications showing graduation prior to 1998 will not be
considered. Candidates must: 1) have experience and a demonstrated
commitment to women's human rights advocacy; 2) be affiliated with an
established women's NGO that will support the candidate's follow-on
project if selected for the Program; and 3) be fluent in written and
spoken English. Candidates with specific experience in reproductive
rights and sexual health are particularly encouraged to
apply.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
The goal of the NEWW Legal Fellowship Program is to build the capacity
of women lawyers at the beginning of their careers, and women's
organizations throughout CEE/NIS to advocate more effectively for
women's human rights. Supported by grants from the Open Society
Institute, the Ford Foundation, the Alfred Jurzykowski Foundation and
NEWW's Board of Directors, the Legal Fellowship Program bridges the gap
between theory and practice by providing an intensive training
experience in law, public policy and feminist activism.
During the U.S. placement period, Fellows participate in a 2-week
orientation in Washington D.C., complete a four-month internship at a
U.S.-based human rights organization and participate in a law school
course on International Women's Human Rights. Every effort is made to
match each Fellow with an organization that is conducting work related
to the Fellow's specific interest area. In June 2003, Fellows return to
their home countries to complete a one-year follow-on project. Each
Fellow designs and raises funds for her project while in the U.S. with
support from NEWW and her host organization.
STIPEND:
Fellowships includes travel to and from the placement site in the United
States, short-term medical insurance, and a monthly stipend to cover
room and board expenses during the U.S. portion of the program. Housing
is arranged in an international student house or similar student
accommodation. In some cases Fellows are placed with families in their
host city. Upon successful completion of the U.S. portion of the
Program, NEWW provides each Fellow with a $3,000 seed grant to begin
implementation of her follow-on project.
Please note that NEWW guarantees financial support for the Fellows only
during their time in the U.S. NEWW makes every effort to assist the
Fellows and their host NGOs in CEE/NIS to raise the funds needed to
implement the follow-on project, but NEWW cannot guarantee support
during the follow-on period beyond the $3,000 seed grant provided as
part of the Fellowship.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
Applicants should submit the following materials in English:
Cover letter and curriculum vitae;
Personal statement that: 1) summarizes the applicant's interest and
involvement in the field of women's rights, and in particular
reproductive rights and sexual health if applicable, and details her
work with local women's organizations; 2) describes her reasons for
applying to the Legal Fellowship Program and her expectations about this
experience; and 3) outlines her goals and future career plans.
Two letters of recommendation in English, or accompanied by English
translations, including all current contact information for the letter's
author. All written recommendations will be verified by local NEWW
contacts or via telephone by NEWW staff;
Signed declaration that, if selected for the Program, the applicant
will return to her home country to complete a 12-month follow-on project
immediately following the U.S. placement period.
3-5 page country briefing paper about the status of women in her
country, including recommendations for advocacy and legal reform. The
paper may focus on one or more issues of current relevance in the
applicant's country, and should demonstrate the applicant's ability to
write and formulate arguments in English.
Completed application packets should be sent by email to NEWW at
ebarclay@neww.org. If email is not possible, please send the complete
application packet by regular mail to the address below. Following
review by the International Selection Committee, a maximum of 10
finalists will be selected for personal interviews to take place in
Poland in November 2002. Selected finalists will be notified of their
interview on or around October 15, 2002. Notification of Fellowship
awards will be made by December 31, 2002.
CONTACT PERSON:
Erin M. Barclay, Esq.
Executive Director
Network of East-West Women
Email: ebarclay@neww.org
1761 S Street NW, Suite LL-12
Washington, DC 20009
Tel (202) 299-9001
Fax (202) 299-9003
Website: www.neww.org
The Network of East-West Women (NEWW) is an international membership and
advocacy organization linking women in more than 30 countries in Central
and Southeastern Europe, the New Independent States and the Russian
Federation. Through the Legal Fellowship Program and other projects,
NEWW supports independent women's movements that foster women's
participation in all aspects of public decision-making. NEWW's primary
objective is to increase the capacity of women and women's NGOs to shape
policies that affect women's lives.
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