Frequently asked questions

Women in Surgery Africa (WiSA) is a non-profit organization empowering female surgeons across Africa. It is a membership group which provides support to female surgeons, surgeons in training and medical students in the 14 member countries of the College of Surgeons of East Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA). WiSA was established in 2015 and is endorsed by COSECSA as a recognised sub-group of the College. Learn more on the About page.

According to the findings of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery (2015), Africa is facing a surgical workforce crisis, and women have been underrepresented in the surgical field on all continents. WiSA works to support and enable more women to successfully enter the field of surgery and in turn bolster the surgical workforce in Africa.

The first WiSA Board was elected on 2 December 2015 at the COSECSA AGM in Blantyre, Malawi. The current board, roles and contacts are listed on the Governance page.

Complete the online application (or the paper version) and submit it with any required dues. Joining and renewing both use the same application form, which you can reach from the Membership page.

WiSA has three membership tiers: Bronze at $30 for 1 year, Silver at $80 for 3 years and Gold at $120 for 5 years. All terms are renewable.

Renewing uses the same application form as joining. Membership is continuous with payment of all dues and assessments, and runs on an anniversary basis. Use the renew link on the Membership page.

Members get access to mentorship, a community network of fellow women surgeons, awards and scholarships (offered annually, subject to funding), and training and resources, including professional development courses at the AGM.

The WiSA Mentorship Programme is a career development initiative that connects senior surgeons with experience in the field and junior surgeons or surgical trainees. It gives surgeons the opportunity to learn from one another, influence their work environments, develop their skills and seek or offer guidance as required.

WiSA pairs mentors and mentees for a minimum of one year, with a monthly time commitment of 1.5 hours. A short induction training is provided at the start of the programme. Mentees initiate the first conversation, each pair is encouraged to set a goal for the year, and pairs choose how to communicate (email, phone, video or in person). WiSA provides ongoing support and check-ins, and at the end of the year participants are invited to complete a short exit survey. They may then choose to continue informally, re-enroll or step away.

Use the application link on the Mentorship page, or email wisa@cosecsa.org.

WiSA has announced research grant winners for 2023 and 2024, and its awards and scholarship programmes are offered annually, subject to funding. See the Research Grants page for the winners and their research topics.

You can support WiSA through donations, volunteering, or partnering with us in our initiatives to empower women. You can donate online, or contact us to volunteer or partner.

Email wisa@cosecsa.org or call +255 681 262 712. The office address is the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA), ECSA-HC, P.O. Box 1009, Arusha, Tanzania. You can also use the form on the Contact page.