UNESCO Culture for Girls Program: Empowering Women in West Africa’s Cultural Sector- Apply Now

Application Deadline: July 20, 2025

The UNESCO Regional Office for West Africa has officially launched a call for expressions of interest to identify inspiring women in the fields of culture, creativity, and heritage across the region. The initiative forms part of the Culture for Girls regional program, an essential effort aimed at advancing gender equality in West Africa’s cultural sectors. This program focuses on creating a supportive environment for girls and women to fully realize their rights, access training, secure employment, and further their professional development.

The Goal: Empowering Women in Culture, Creativity, and Heritage

The overarching goal of the Culture for Girls program is to promote gender equality and elevate the status of women within the cultural and creative industries. UNESCO aims to identify and celebrate the achievements of women working in various domains, including arts, culture, and heritage preservation. The initiative also seeks to expand the network of women cultural professionals across West Africa.

Through this program, UNESCO strives to address the systemic barriers that women face in the cultural sector. By increasing visibility for these women and advocating for their professional recognition, the program hopes to change the cultural landscape and empower future generations of women in the creative industries.

Key Focus Areas: Advancing Gender Equality and Professional Recognition

The Culture for Girls program is centered on two main focus areas:

1. Strengthening Women’s Recognition as Professionals:
   Many women in West Africa face barriers in achieving full professional recognition within the cultural sector. Issues like wage inequality, lack of access to education, and discrimination in working conditions continue to hinder their progress. This initiative works to address these concerns by raising awareness and fostering public discussions that aim to dismantle these barriers.
2. Increasing Visibility and Advocacy for Women Creators:
   Women in culture and heritage professions are often underrepresented, despite their critical contributions. The Culture for Girls program seeks to shine a spotlight on their work and advocacy efforts, ensuring they receive the recognition they deserve. By doing so, the program aims to inspire other women and girls, especially those in more traditional societies, to pursue careers in cultural professions.

Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?

The Culture for Girls program is open to women from all generations who meet the following criteria:

• Nationality and Residency: Applicants must be from and reside in one of the following West African countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, or Togo.
• Professional Experience: Candidates should have at least five years of experience in the cultural, creative, or heritage professions.
• Involvement in Cultural Activities: Women who have contributed to artistic, educational, heritage, or community-based cultural activities or projects are encouraged to apply.

Although the focus is on West African nationals, professionals from other African countries are also welcome to apply, though priority will be given to women from the listed West African nations.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detailing educational background, professional experience, and key achievements.
• Biography: A brief description (maximum 500 characters) of the applicant’s background, major projects, and accomplishments.
• Visual Portfolio: One or two representative visuals showcasing the applicant’s work in action or highlighting their artistic productions.

Key Dates and Additional Information

• Application Deadline: July 20, 2025
• Donor: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• Grant Size: Not specified

For more information on how to apply, CLICK HERE