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Celebrating 25 years of young women's leadership for girls' education

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The CAMFED Association is 25 years young and more than 250,000 leaders strong across Africa!

In 2023, the Association of women leaders educated with CAMFED support turned 25.

Established in Zimbabwe in 1998, the CAMFED Association has now become a pan-African sisterhood of girls’ education activists, spearheading CAMFED’s programs, and joining forces with their communities to support many more girls through school,  providing them with the tools and skills they need to thrive after they graduate.

Here’s how are sisterhood celebrated this incredible milestone…

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From 32 girls in Zimbabwe to over 250,000 leaders across Africa

From December 14-16, 2023, representatives of our CAMFED Association convened in Tanzania to celebrate and reflect on 25 years of women’s leadership for girls’ education across Africa. The group included all the recently elected and outgoing national chairs of the Association.

The vibrant leadership summit was an opportunity to recognize our collective impact, and to charge up in readiness to support millions more girls and their communities as part of CAMFED’s vision for 2030. Joined my CAMFED’s Executive Director – Africa, Dr. Shungu Gwarinda, and Executive Adviser, Barbara Chilangwa, we learned from each other’s leadership experiences and heard from founding CAMFED Association members, including Executive Adviser – CAMFED Association, Fiona Mavhinga, and Winnie Farao:

“We’re among the very first young women who were supported [by CAMFED], and to see such a crowd of educated young women passionate and equipped to lead change 25 years later is such an amazing thing. It’s so rewarding and we feel so proud.”

Follow along on social media — @camfedsisterhood on TikTok and @camfed on Instagram, Facebook and X/Twitter — as we gear up to support millions more girls to learn, thrive and lead:

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Ghanaian Chief calls radio station to celebrate our activism

On September 4, 2023 CAMFED Association leaders and Learner Guides from 12 districts across Ghana were broadcast live on FM radio stations to celebrate 25 years of commitment to community development.

The segments garnered an enthusiastic response, with many listeners calling in to appreciate the young women and encourage them to keep up the good work in their communities.

One of the callers, Chief Akara, Traditional Leader of Bongo district (pictured left) called in and shared how the CAMFED Association (CAMA) is very active and truly works to effect change through social activities, mentoring, and other initiatives in his region.

CAMA Bongo is changing the narrative, and I am always willing to support you.
Chief Akara, Traditional Leader of Bongo district, Northern Region, Ghana

Stories from our unstoppable sisterhood

Josephine-Gunda-54111-CAMA-Ward-Councillor-Vice-President-Kibaha-District-Council-Kibaha-TZ-Feb-2023

Josephine

I am proud of being a businesswoman. I am proud of being a leader. I am proud of how CAMFED has shaped my life and the role model I’ve become. I love my job as Vice Chairperson of Kibaha Rural District Council, and I am happy to be making life better for women and girls in my community.

Natasha-Lwanda-78394

StoryZambia

Natasha

I’m Natasha, an education activist and Environmental Management expert from Zambia. I believe that when you get a chance to get an education, you should grab it with both hands, because there is no greater equalizer than education.

Khadija Iddrisu

StoryGhana

Khadija

I’m Khadija, a tech game changer from Ghana. From saving up my lunch money to access the internet café, to becoming an award-winning Machine Intelligence expert — I am living out my dreams as a trailblazing young woman in STEM.

Esnath-Divasoni-98630-Portrait-EARTH-University-Costa-Rica-May-2020-3

StoryZimbabwe

Esnath

My name is Esnath and I am a climate game changer in Zimbabwe. As a member of the CAMFED Association, sustainable agriculture expert and entrepreneur, I am a role model to girls and young women in my community who aspire for a brighter future as climate leaders.

Hendrina-Chauma-702203-LG-Machinga-MW-LG-Documentary-Yidan-Funded-Oct-2022_Christopher Loades-DSC02074

StoryMalawi

Hendrina

I'm Hendrina from Malawi. CAMFED stepped in to support my secondary education so I could follow my dreams of becoming a clothing designer. Today I’m a respected businesswoman and I am even making school uniforms for CAMFED students.

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TED Talk: Powering the sisterhood

Don’t miss the latest TED Talk from CEO of CAMFED and co-founder of the CAMFED Association, Angeline Murimirwa. She’ll show how, with 25 years’ experience and 250,000 members, we’re working at pace to ensure millions more girls can learn, thrive and lead.

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