2024 FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN

DESCENT

APPLICATION FORM

Deadline for application: 31 May 2024

This application form consists of two parts. While the first part must be completed by the
candidate, the second part must be completed by the nominating organisation. Both parts
need to be completed and bear the original signature of the candidate and the nominating
organisation. Applicants are requested to submit a completed form in addition to the
documents listed below in a single e-mail to [email protected]

Please answer each question clearly and completely. Type or print legibly.

PART I (To be completed by the candidate)

1. First name: Reem 2. Family name: Elshafaie

(as noted in the passport) (as noted in the passport)

3. Date of birth (dd/mm/yy): 4. Place of birth: Alexandria, Egypt

22/08/1996
5. Nationalit(ies) at birth: Egyptians 6. Present nationalit(ies): Egyptian
7. Country of residence: Egypt / UK 8. Sex (female/male/other): Female
9. Marital status: single 10. Number of dependents: zero

______________________________________________________________________________
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11. Contact details of the applicant:

a. Present address: 16 Havannah street, Havannah house, Flat34 , G40AS , Glasgow, Scotland

b. Tel: +44 7480 143661

c. Fax:
d. E-mail: [email protected]

_______________________________________________________________________________

12. Educational qualifications:

University or Attended from/to Degree obtained Main course of study

equivalent
mm/yy mm/yy

University of 09/2023 09/2024 Master’s degree Global Health

Glasgow

University of 09/2014 09/2020 Bachelor’s Medicine and

Alexandria general surgery

KIT tropical 02/2024 05/2024 Diploma SRHR response in

institute humanitarian
settings

__________________________________________________________________________________

13. Other human rights training:

 Politics4her human, digital voices for change fellowship Jan- May 2024

 ‘’ Barrah Amen organization, Fundamentals of human rights’’ Feb 2023

 The Egyptian movement for human rights, advocacy tools training Dec 2023

 Human rights and sexual rights, Al-Asfari Institute for Civil rights two phases
workshop May 2023/ March 2024

 Introductory training course on sexual health and human rights by WHO/

UNESCO 2023

 Edraak human rights-based digital journalism diploma Jan- April 2022

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__________________________________________________________________________________

14. Present employer:

a. Name of the employer: SIBA MENA/ Mx: Youba Darif

b. Address: Marrakesh, Morrocco
c. Tel: +212 680-353293
d. Fax:
e. E-mail: [email protected]
f. Present position: advocacy officer
g. Date appointed:1/12/2023

___________________________________________________________________________
______

15. What is the human rights situation of people of African descent in your respective country?
And what are the challenges they are facing?

As an Egyptian (North African country) we suffer from immense human rights’ violations
especially due to the unsettled political atmosphere post revolution, the new regime has built
more prisons than hospitals or schools, in 2022 Egypt has a record of 60000 political
prisoners, many prisoners don’t have final sentence and have been held illegally for false
accusations, but I have special interest in health rights especially sexual health rights, due to
the economical inflation, period poverty has been increasing especially among the poor rural
areas and refugees community in Egypt from Sudan, Somalia and Eretria where they face
intersectional violence due to their dark skin, poverty, displacement, psychological trauma
due to wars and forced migration.
One of the significant sexual health violations in Egypt is female genital mutilation/ cut
which is common among the African community especially in the far south of Egypt it has a
unique characteristic in Egypt which is the medicalization of FGM that is up to 67% of the
cases which represent a real challenge.
One more challenge that face the refugee community from the African descent is working in
sex work as victims of human trafficking especially due to the struggles they face to have
legal documentations in the country which hinder seeking jobs or enrolment in the education
system.
___________________________________________________________________________
_______

16. Current work responsibilities relevant to the Fellowship programme, and other experience
related to promoting the rights of people of African descent. Please indicate any work and/or
experience in addressing gender-based discrimination, multiple forms of discrimination and
intersectionality:

My work entails working with youth from LGBQTI+ community especially from
under privileged backgrounds as refugees, economically challenged or
geographically deserted areas to provide them with their sexual rights by engaging
with policymakers, and government officials to advocate for favourable SRHR
policies and legislation to implement SRHR services that is person centred in
addition to design and implement public awareness campaigns to educate
communities about sexual and reproductive health and rights, referral systems,
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protection policies and service centres where people from vulnerable communities
can receive decent professional legal, psychological and medical help in addition
to develop and manage outreach programs to engage with the populations and
form and participate in coalitions and networks with other NGOs, civil society
organizations, and advocacy groups to strengthen collective effort, along with
developing training programs to build the capacity of community members,
advocates, and organizations with common objectives.
From my previous experience I used to be an advocacy coordinator in Y-PEER
Egypt, where we were working on the intersectional violence faced by adolescents
in the community as gender-based violence, harassment, period poverty, child
marriage, FGM as long as raising awareness among the community about the
SHRH, safe sex and HIV.
As a previous medical officer in Care Egypt, refugee program I was responsible
for providing the refugee community with equitable professional health services
that ensure mitigating the faces of discrimination faced by the refugee community
by managing the medical health centre and supervise the process of referring
patients, supervise the services and ensuring the smooth process of medical
seeking among the community especially with patients with HIV that faces lots of
discrimination.

___________________________________________________________

17. Other professional experience in the field of human rights (in brief):

 Role in Advocacy: Advocated against sexual violence, promoted SHRH awareness

with multiple NGOs as UNAIDS and UNFPA as well as grassroots communities.
 As a consultant I was able to developed and disseminated comprehensive sexual
health and rights educational materials using a human rights approach with multiple
organisations as Barrah Amen, Transat and Global network for people living with
HIV.
 Training: I have been a trainer in the fireld of sexual health and rights for 7 years
empowering individuals with knowledge and skills as well as advocacy tools for
community influence and participation.
 Public speaker: in various Conferences and Summits: Active participant and speaker
in numerous global forums on human rights and SRHR as the global youth round
table by UNFPA/UNICEF joint program and the African conference on sexual health
and rights.

_________________________________________________________________________________

18. List professional societies and activities in civic, public or international affairs in which you
have been involved:

On local context in Egypt:

 I have been part of the young youth parliament with the ministry of youth, Y-peer
Egypt ‘’ a network for advocating against GBV using Edutainment techniques as sports
for development and art for development.
 Barrah Amen, an NGO that works as a focal point for violence survivors in Egypt
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where they provide legal, medical and psychological support to the survivors to fill the
gap in the national procedures of combating and supporting violence survivors in Egypt.

 safe circles, where we provide legal support to the LGBQTI+ communities as they
are highly vulnerable in the Egyptian context especially legally.

 superwomen movement ‘’ as a project manager to Nagat project where we have

provided single mothers that has been unemployed for a while with the needed skills and
professional training to be able to re-work and to be economically stable.
 Elshehab organization for people living with HIV’’ Coordinate the activities of the
harm reduction program in the center’’.

On a regional context through the MENA region:

 The sex talk Arabic’’ an intersectional feminist collation that provide comprehensive
sexual education as a content creator’’.
 Takatoat feminist initiative ‘’ a network of advocate that promote human rights in the
MENA region’’.

 Sharika wa laken for feminist press movement as a journalist that covers GBV topics.

 Global network for people living with HIV MENA+ in Morocco as an activist.

On an international level:

 I am the Arab reps to the global youth consortium to end FGM, a network of global
leaders from the joint program of UNICEF/UNFPA and a former Saleema
ambassador with the African union to combat FGM in the region.

_________________________________________________________________________________

19. How would you use the acquired knowledge at the end of the Fellowship programme?

I plan to leverage the acquired knowledge and skills in several impactful ways:

1. Capacity Building:
o I plan first to document and transfer the knowledge I will gain by developing
and implement training programs for young leaders within the community
especially in my organisation as it contains leaders that represent most african
countries. Focus on building skills in leadership, advocacy, and human rights.
2. Community Empowerment:
o Grassroots Mobilization: Through my organisation, I will collab with local
organizations to build grassroots movements that address specific issues
affecting people of African descent, such as discrimination, economic
inequality, and access to education.
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o Education and Awareness Campaigns: Conduct workshops and seminars to

educate communities about their rights. Empower them with knowledge about
how to advocate for themselves and navigate legal systems.
3. Research and Documentation:
o I plan to use the skills in research and documentation to systematically record
instances of human rights violations to be published in reports and articles and
to be dissemenated through various channels so it can be used to advocate for
change.
4. Collaboration and Networking:
o I belive that through this opportunity I will be able to build a strong network
of organisations and advocates that work tirelesly to defend human rights with
their unique experiences and resources alliances can help to build a strong
impactful international movement to create a united front in the fight for
equality and human rights.
o Through the Network with Alumni we will be able to share best practices,
resources, and support ongoing initiatives aimed at improving the lives of
people of African descent.
5. Advocacy and Policy Influence:
o Engage with Policymakers: Utilize the understanding of international human
rights laws to influence national and local policies. Advocate for the
implementation of legal frameworks that protect the rights of people of
African descent.
o Participate in International Forums: as a public speaker I will represent the
interests of people of African descent in international forums and platforms as
a digital journalist that works with different advocacy platforms in the region
as Raseef 22, Edrak, and Sharika wa laken ensuring their voices are heard in
global policy-making processes.

__________________________________________________________________________________

20. Personal statement in support of your application (please write maximum 500 words and
attach as a separate sheet)

21. How did you find out about the Fellowship Programme of People of African Descent?

 OHCHR website  NGO

 OHCHR email  Word of mouth
 Other international organisation  Other (please describe) _____________




22. Have you or a relative ever participated in a fellowship or training programme

organized by the United Nations. If yes, please indicate name of the programme, place
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and date.

No

23. I enclose my:

 Curriculum vitae
 Personal statement
 Letter from the nominating organisation certifying employment status
(employee, volunteer, student, etc)
 Copy of passport


24. I certify that the statements made by me in answer to the forging questions are true,
complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date _____________8/06/2024______ Signature of applicant

__Reem Mohamed Ahmed Elshafaie______________

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PART II (To be completed by the certifying organisation)
25. Certifying organisation:

a. Name of the certifying organization: Siba MENA

b. Address: Marrakesh, Morocco
c. Tel: +212 680-353293
d. Fax: N/A
e. E-mail: [email protected]




26. Short description of the organisation goals, objectives and work (additional
information may be submitted through references to annual report, leaflet and
publication, etc.):
Siba Mena as representatives of young people from the Middle East and North Africa,
proudly announce the formation of SIBA, MENA Youth Network on Sexual &
Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and HIV-AIDS. SIBA is dedicated to
improving the health and rights of young people in the region through advocacy,
education, and community engagement.
1. Promote policies and programs that support SRHR and HIV-AIDS prevention and
treatment.
2. Increase awareness and knowledge about SRHR and HIV-AIDS among young
people through workshops, campaigns, and educational materials.
3. Foster community involvement and empower young people to plan advocacy
campaigns and take an active role in advocating for their health rights as part of
human rights.
4. Work with governments and stakeholders to influence policies that enhance
SRHR and HIV-AIDS services for young people.
5. Provide training and resources to young leaders to enhance their understanding on
human rights, advocacy and leadership skills.
6. Conduct regional campaigns to raise awareness about SRHR and HIV-AIDS,
dispelling myths, reducing stigma and calling for health equity.
7. Facilitate access to health services, medication, counselling, and support for
young people affected by SRHR issues and HIV-AIDS in the region.


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27. Present responsibilities of the candidate within the organisation:

An advocacy officer for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
component within Siba Mena typically has a wide range of responsibilities to ensure
the successful planning, execution, and completion of projects. Here are some job
responsibilities:
1. Conduct research and analyse policies related to SRHR to identify gaps and
opportunities for advocacy.
2. Develop policy briefs, position papers, and recommendations to influence local,
national, and international policies in addition to engage with the stalk-holders.
3. Engage with policymakers, legislators, and government officials to advocate for
favourable SRHR policies and legislation.
4. Design and implement public awareness campaigns to educate communities about
SRHR issues.
5. Develop and manage outreach programs to engage with marginalized and
vulnerable populations.
6. Form and participate in coalitions and networks with other NGOs, civil society
organizations, and advocacy groups to strengthen collective efforts.
7. Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks to measure the
impact of advocacy efforts.
8. Develop and deliver training programs to build the capacity of community
members, advocates, and organizations in SRHR advocacy.
9. Advocate for the protection and promotion of sexual and reproductive rights as
fundamental human rights.


28. Reasons for nominating this candidate:
Reem El-Shafaie has a strong background in advocating for the rights of marginalized
communities, particularly those of African descent, and has a history of professional
achievements demonstrating excellence and impact in their work. They have held
significant leadership positions, effectively managing projects and teams that drive
positive change and development. Actively engaged with grassroots organizations and
communities, the candidate understands their needs and works collaboratively to
address them. Their strong educational background, relevant to the fellowship’s focus
areas, provides a solid foundation for further learning and advocacy. With in-depth
knowledge of racial discrimination, human rights, and social justice issues, they are a
valuable asset to the fellowship programme. Their efforts have resulted in significant
improvements in education, health, economic empowerment, and human rights for
marginalized communities.


29. Name and title of the certifying official: Mx. Youba Darif (They/them) , regional
coordinator of the network


30. Signature of the certifying official: _____________________ Date:
__8/06/2024________________
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