Application Deadline: 26 June, 2026.
Applications are now open for the 2026 Sister-to-Sister Young Feminist Leadership Program. The Sister-to-Sister program brings together young feminist leaders — sisters — in an intensive virtual program which fosters crucial solidarity, support, sisterhood, and skills-building to better equip activists for the challenges ahead. This year’s program theme is:
“Peace in the Age of AI: Building Feminist Futures.”
Building on the work of NWI Nobel Laureates — particularly Maria Ressa, whose journalism and advocacy have been at the forefront of defending truth, accountability and democratic space in the digital age — the 2026 Sister-to-Sister cohort will move from analysis to action.
Twenty five young, feminist activists will take part in a 6-week intensive virtual learning program from 24 August to 28 September 2026. The program is designed to:
- Broaden understanding of how artificial intelligence is reshaping power, conflict, peace — and the specific ways these technologies impact women and feminist movements.
- Build knowledge and critical analysis of AI-driven disinformation, digital security threats, autonomous weapons, and the gendered dimensions of emerging technology.
- Strengthen tools and strategies for navigating the digital information ecosystem, including digital safety, counter-disinformation tactics and adaptive feminist leadership.
- Explore how AI can be leveraged to advance feminist peacebuilding — from amplifying women-led movements, to strengthening early warning systems and expanding access to justice.
- Enhance collective learning and peer exchange by deepening mutual trust, sisterhood, and solidarity among young women activists confronting intersecting challenges.
- Deepen feminist networks for support and collective action and through this network build resilience and long-term capacity for change.
Requirements
- Passion for and some experience in supporting feminist peacebuilding, women’s rights, digital rights, and/or feminist social justice movements as volunteers, professionals, or activists.
- Drive and potential to be an impactful feminist leader within local contexts.
- Able to effectively engage in English.
- Willing and able to commit to full participation in at least 80% of live, cohort-wide sessions.
- Candidates must be between 18–35 years old.
- Trans and non-binary activists are encouraged to apply.
Selection Criteria
- Global representation.
- Applicants from East Africa and the following countries are highly encouraged to apply: Philippines, Liberia, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Iran, Iraq, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Colombia, Haiti, Ukraine, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.
- Diversity of socio-political contexts.
- Diversity of backgrounds.
- Previous involvement in peace processes, digital rights advocacy, journalism, or technology governance — particularly in relation to YPS and WPS agendas, UN Security Council Resolution 2250 and UN Security Council Resolution 1325 implementation, and peace negotiations/mediation — is preferred but not mandatory.
- Experience working on feminist approaches to technology, AI governance, counter-disinformation, digital security, autonomous weapons, and/or gender and media is an advantage.
- Candidates who aspire to become a leader / become a strengthened leader as a result of engagement in this experience and growth of their support and solidarity network.
- Candidates who aspire to strengthen their leadership in navigating and shaping the digital and AI landscape through a feminist lens, and who are eager to grow their networks of solidarity and support, are highly encouraged to apply.
- Individuals with ambitions to broaden or elevate their political leadership capabilities are highly encouraged to apply.
Application Process
To be considered, candidate applications are due before 11:59pm ET, on 26 June, 2026. Applications should include:
- A personal letter or video (max 2 minutes or 1 page) outlining how the candidate has been contributing to feminist peace, digital rights, social and/or environmental justice; the primary challenges in their context (contextually / personally / professionally); and how they hope the program will benefit them and their work.
- Current resume, with up to date, detailed experience (paid, volunteer, academic).
- Reference letter from a feminist peace, social or digital rights activist or organization, with contact details for follow up.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Sister-to-Sister Young Feminist Leadership Program
