CAMFED Patron Julia Gillard on the lasting effect of girls’ education
In a new article for Australia’s Teacher Magazine, CAMFED Patron Julia Gillard writes about her belief in girls’ education as the foundation for equality and empowerment the world over.
She has seen first hand the multiplier effect brought about by girls who were once at risk of exclusion, but now create change through a pan-African movement of fearless female leaders – the CAMFED alumnae network, CAMA.
CAMFED supports young women through school, and importantly, on the journey to independence after school – providing financial and training resources that complement and build on CAMA members’ expertise in breaking down barriers to female education.
Julia Gillard, CAMFED Patron
The former Australian Prime Minister — the first and only woman to serve in the role — has worked closely with CAMA members including Angie Murimirwa, one of the first girls supported to go to school by CAMFED and now our Executive Director in Africa. Julia Gillard became CAMFED Patron in 2016 and also serves as Chair of the Global Partnership for Education and Chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College.
In her recent article she points to the central role played by CAMA members in their communities to galvanize action for girls’ education and setting a precedent for women’s leadership.
Through CAMFED’s Learner Guide Program 7,444 young women have been trained to deliver a contextually-relevant life skills curriculum, ensuring thousands more girls are in school, learning and can thrive afterwards.
CAMA Leader Alice is a mentor to younger girls in her community in rural Zambia. (Photo: Eliza Powell/CAMFED)
Something that has happened to CAMA this year is that we are now taking the lead, we are now at the front line. You know, it’s rare that youth are given the frontline to lead in any activity. But we are doing that with the support of CAMFED.
Alice Saisha, CAMA Leader, Zambia
Read Julia Gillard’s article: The lasting effect of educating girls
Learn more about CAMA’s audacious leaders