Ulemu Hannah Kanyongolo is a Malawian lawyer and human rights activist. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Malawi. In 2018 Ulemu founded the Young Feminists Network, a network aimed at facilitating dialogue amongst young Malawian feminists and engaging in advocacy for gender equality and social justice. Ulemu was the President of the Gender Justice Clinic at the University of Malawi from 2016-2018, through which she was involved in research, awareness and advocacy on gender-related issues in tertiary institutions. Ulemu currently sits on the boards of PEPETA Malawi and Y-Plus Malawi, and is Chairperson of the Southern Region Chapter of Malawi Women Human Rights Defenders. Ulemu is passionate about global human rights issues and participated in the Global Strategy processes of Oxfam and Amnesty International as a youth representative in 2019, and is currently a board member of the Athena Network’s Young Women Governance Board. Ulemu has several publications in the areas of gender, development and law. She hopes to make meaningful contributions to human rights discourse in Africa and beyond, and intends to use litigation as a tool for the promotion and protection of human rights. Being a Mandela Rhodes Scholar will enable Ulemu to realise her dream of a world where young, dynamic African leaders take charge of their own destinies and influence change.