Amal Clooney spent a week in Malawi to launch a scholarship programme that will fund legal studies for 30 young women, beginning with 10 fully funded students this year. The initiative includes fellowships for early-career lawyers who will work with the Clooney Foundation for Justice and the Women Lawyers Association of Malawi to defend women and children affected by violence. Clooney met government officials, visited a girls' school and emphasized the programme's goal of expanding access to justice and building local legal capacity.
Amal Clooney Returns to Malawi to Launch Scholarships and Empower Future Female Lawyers
Amal Clooney returns to Malawi three years later for a meaningful reason (Anadolu)
Amal Clooney has returned to Malawi for a week-long visit to unveil a new scholarship and fellowship programme aimed at expanding access to legal education for young women. The international human rights lawyer and co-founder of the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) announced the initiative in partnership with the University of Malawi.
What the Programme Offers
The initiative will ultimately fund the legal education of 30 Malawian women, starting with a first cohort of 10 students this year whose tuition and related costs will be fully covered. It also includes a fully funded fellowship for early-career lawyers who will work with the Clooney Foundation for Justice and the Women Lawyers Association of Malawi to defend women and children affected by violence and to expand access to legal assistance.
Activities During the Visit
During her stay, Clooney met with representatives from Malawi’s Ministries of Justice and Gender, visited a girls' school where she spent time with pupils, and was photographed holding a young child—public moments that emphasized the programme’s focus on education and justice. The trip follows her high-profile visit in 2023 with Michelle Obama and Melinda French Gates, when the group raised awareness about child marriage and girls’ education.
Local Partnership And Long-Term Goals
Local partners—including the University of Malawi and the Women Lawyers Association of Malawi—will help select students and fellows and oversee the programme’s implementation. CFJ says it will monitor outcomes with the aim of expanding opportunities and building long-term, local legal capacity so that future generations of Malawian lawyers can represent victims, challenge injustice and strengthen access to justice within their communities.
Background note: Clooney’s visit came soon after the Venice Film Festival, where her husband George Clooney received an honorary Golden Lion. Hairstylist and photographer Dimitris Giannetos accompanied her and documented moments from the trip.
The human rights lawyer visited a girls' school as part of her week-long stay in Malawi. (@ Photos by Dimitris Giannetos)
Amal Clooney returned to Malawi three years after her previous visit to the country. (@ Photos by Dimitris Giannetos)
Amal Clooney met with local officials and students while highlighting access to education and justice for women and girls. (@ Photos by Dimitris Giannetos)
Amal Clooney unveiled a new scholarship program aimed at helping young women pursue legal careers in Malawi. (@ Photos by Dimitris Giannetos)
Amal Clooney shared a sweet moment with a young girl during her humanitarian trip to Malawi. (@ Photos by Dimitris Giannetos)
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