Sitabile Dewa is a distinguished women’s rights advocate and expert in conflict transformation with over a decade of experience empowering women leaders and working in conflict-affected regions. As the founder and Executive Director of the Women’s Academy For Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE), she has been instrumental in advancing women’s political and economic inclusion, driving transformative feminist leadership across local, national, regional and international levels. With a passion for elevating women into leadership roles, Ms. Dewa has been a prominent voice in advocating for gender equality in governance. Her work has significantly contributed to women taking up leadership responsibilities through capacity-building initiatives, leadership trainings, and intergenerational mentorship programs that prepare women to successfully campaign for public office. She also leads efforts to capacitate aspiring women leaders, female councillors and Members of Parliament with skills and techniques to be at the forefront of fighting for climate justice and lead in putting in place laws and policies that protect women and girls from the negative effects of climate change.

Ms. Dewa holds an impressive array of academic qualifications, including: Master’s in Human Rights, Peace, and Development (Africa University) Master’s in International Relations (University of Zimbabwe) Bachelor of Science in Sociology (University of Zimbabwe), Postgraduate Diploma in Democracy, Governance, and Public Policy (ISS, Netherlands). She sits in the Zimbabwe Gender Commission Thematic Working Group on Gender, Environment and Climate Change. She is also a proud alumna of several prestigious international programs, such as the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) GenerationDemocracy global youth network and the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program.