COSECSA Women in Surgery Africa

Taking the road less travelled.

WiSA mentors, funds and connects women surgeons across the COSECSA region.

Join WiSA Read the latest news

Eight women in evening wear seated around a gold number 10 balloon at WiSA's ten-year celebration — Ten years of WiSA. Scalpel, Roses and Thorns: Growing from Within and Beyond.

A smiling woman with glasses at a WiSA gathering

A woman in a bright patterned dress at a WiSA gathering

What WiSA does

Four ways we back women in surgery.

Mentorship

We connect aspiring female surgeons with experienced mentors for guidance, support and the skills that grow a career.
About mentorship
Research grants

Grants for women surgeons and trainees to lead projects that tackle surgical challenges, improve patient care and inform health policy across the COSECSA region.
About research grants
Networking events

Events where women surgeons connect, collaborate and celebrate their achievements together.
See events
Workshops

Hands-on sessions on skills and leadership, and on getting past the barriers women meet in surgery.

Dr. Louisa Nneka standing with her arms folded, wearing a bright blue suit

Surgical Spotlight

Be confident – you’ve got a whole host of people cheering you on!

Dr. Louisa Nneka

General surgeon, SIM Galmi Missions Hospital, Galmi, Niger

Her WiSA profile describes her as the first female Nigerian graduate of the Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons, and as a teacher and mentor to fellow surgeons.

Read her profile

News.

All news

Gallery.

See the full gallery

A woman in a beaded dress smiling at a crowded dinner

A woman with glasses and braids laughing at a table with white flowers

Black and white portrait of a smiling woman at a gala table

A woman in a patterned dress raising one arm in celebration

Women seated at a long dinner table, one resting her chin on her hand

A woman in a pink headscarf reading at a dinner table

Membership

Join WiSA.

Membership runs on one-, three- or five-year terms. It was required to apply for the 2026 AWSF travel grant and the Faith Muchemwa Legacy Grant.

Apply for membership Renew your membership

Bronze: $30; 1 year, renewable; $30 a year
Silver: $80; 3 years, renewable; About $27 a year
Gold: $120; 5 years, renewable; $24 a year

Partners and supporters

Our partners.

All partners

Four women surgeons in scrubs and surgical caps, smiling with their arms around each other

Donate

Support women surgeons across Africa.

Every contribution makes a difference in empowering female surgeons and advancing healthcare in Africa.

Donate Opens COSECSA’s giving page on Every.org.

Taking the road less travelled.

Four ways we back women in surgery.

Mentorship

Research grants

Networking events

Workshops

News.

Collective Wisdom in Action (CWiA)

Applications Open: Association of Women Surgeons Foundation (AWSF) WiSA Travel Grant 2026

Applications Open for the WiSA Shield Maiden Award 2026

Call for Applications: Prof. Faith Muchemwa Legacy Grant 2026

Gallery.

Join WiSA.

Our partners.

Support women surgeons across Africa.