In June, NDI Board Chairman Madeleine K. Albright, announced the establishment of the Andi Parhamovich Fellowship, named in honor of NDI staff member Andrea “Andi” Parhamovich, who was killed on January 17, 2007, when her convoy was attacked while returning from a political party training session in Baghdad.

In memoriam»

As part of a living legacy, the Andi Parhamovich Fellowship recognizes the commitment and courage of dedicated women advocates who are today working to further women’s political participation and empowerment in their countries.  For some, this means struggling against tremendous odds because of conflict, or insecurity or restrictive socio-cultural norms. Their efforts may not make headlines, but their hard work forms the basis of democratic transformations that take hold at the grassroots level.

Each year, the Fellowship brings to Washington, D.C., a woman—selected from NDI local staff or partner organizations from one of the 50 plus countries where the Institute operates—who is deeply involved in building and consolidating democracy in her own country through advancing the participation of women. The Fellowship is designed to enhance the skills of early- to mid-career women so they can return to their countries and better organize for the full political participation of women in their societies, contributing to the development of democracies that reflect the hopes and aspirations of all their citizens.

Thus far, NDI has hosted Andi Parhamovich Fellows from Iraq, Nepal, Liberia, Kosovo, Somalia, Guatemala, Georgia, Pakistan, Nigeria and West Bank-Gaza.  Each of these has developed and implemented a project in their home countries focused on enhancing women’s political empowerment. Read their blogs in the Empowering Women in Politics series, and learn about how the Fellows have continued to make positive contributions to their organizations and societies on their return home.  

Contact Information

To learn more about Andi Parhamovich and the Foundation established by her family, visit the Andi Leadership Institute for Young Women's web site.