Mwangala: Supporting educated young women to step into their power

8 minute read

I’m self-motivated, empathetic, and I love taking on challenges — but I haven’t always been this way. CAMFED’s mentorship and material support have been pivotal in shaping the leader I am today. Having risen to Program Manager at CAMFED Zambia — the very organization that supported my education — I collaborate with CAMFED leaders across Africa to uplift thousands more young women and help them realize their potential.

I grew up in a rural district in the western part of Zambia. When I reached Grade 10, my father passed away, and I had to drop out of school to help my mother care for my five younger siblings. Like many other rural girls, I saw no hope of continuing with my education.

I first heard of CAMFED in 2001 when the programs were introduced in my district. My challenging situation came to the attention of the CAMFED Community Development Committee — a district level group with representatives from government departments, traditional leaders, school authorities, and CAMFED Association leaders (the pan-African network of women educated with CAMFED support) that work closely to identify children in need of CAMFED support. They selected me as one of the first girls in Zambia to be supported through school by CAMFED.

CAMFED’s financial support meant I no longer had to worry about affording school fees and essentials like school uniforms and books. This opportunity motivated me to work hard — not just for myself, but for my younger siblings looking up to me as the eldest. I was very happy and finally felt like my future would be bright. I was elected Head Girl, which opened my eyes to start believing in myself.

I also received emotional support from Mrs. Matilda Mwamba, then the Programs Manager at CAMFED Zambia, and Mrs. Barbara Chilangwa, who helped to establish CAMFED Zambia, and is now Executive Advisor for Government Relations. Together they mentored and supported me through my lowest and highest points.

After graduating secondary school, my cohort of CAMFED-supported learners met with CAMFED Association members from Zimbabwe. Hearing their stories, I made a pledge to myself: if these young women could overcome their challenges, so could I! Then we rallied together and formed the CAMFED Association here in Zambia.

Soon after, I was elected Chairperson of the CAMFED Association in my district, working closely with young women to ensure they had access to opportunities and collaborative spaces to share experiences.

My lived experience is matched by the expertise I’ve gained through further education. I’ve proudly earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Gender Development Studies from the Women’s University in Africa; a diploma in Social Work from the National Institute of Public Administration; and a certificate in Leadership and Enterprise from the University of Cambridge.

My passion and commitment to uplifting young women led to my employment at CAMFED, where I have risen to my current role as Programs Manager at CAMFED Zambia. I’ve had the opportunity to speak on global platforms about my educational and leadership journey with CAMFED, sharing my experiences and amplifying the power of girls’ education and women’s leadership across Africa.

Here I am (second from left) with my CAMFED Association sisters Memory, Abigail, and Dorcas at the CAMFED Gala in New York, 2019. (Credit: CAMFED/Anke Adams)

Helping young women step into their power

In my role of Program Manager, I provide encouragement, mentorship, and connect young women to leadership, business and higher education opportunities.

CAMFED Association members are powerful agents for change, so I work to identify national and international platforms for us to share our stories of driving action.

At the beginning of 2024, I was invited to join the National Youth Organizing Committee, which organizes national youth activities in Zambia. My priority on the committee is to influence decisions that ensure rural voices are represented. Through my efforts, I’m proud to say that for the first time, 10 CAMFED Association members attended the National Youth Indaba—an annual youth leadership conference bringing together young people from all of the countries’ constituencies. With the Zambian President and other government officials in attendance, it was an invaluable opportunity for CAMFED Association members to highlight the challenges facing rural young women and their communities.

One of the many CAMFED Association members I have mentored and supported to step into their power is Winnie. She struggled with low self-esteem and personal challenges during university, so I regularly contacted her to check on her wellbeing. After graduation, she faced uncertainty in her employment, so I helped her secure an internship at the District Education Board (DEBS) under the Ministry of Education. She now works there as a Human Resource Manager, and I’m so proud of the successful leader she has become.

Breaking down barriers for rural entrepreneurs

For young women in rural areas, life after secondary school can be very difficult, as formal employment opportunities are limited and youth unemployment is high. If young women are looking to start a business, access to start-up capital can be a major barrier to success. Young women often lack property or land to secure a loan, and live far away from urban centers where government business support services are focused.

CAMFED’s Enterprise Development programs are particularly important, as they support women to start and grow businesses so they can gain financial independence. We step in wherever possible to provide business grants, and low or no-interest loans to enable women to grow their businesses, generate larger profits and even create employment for others. In addition to financial support, experienced entrepreneurs trained as CAMFED Business Guides, offer mentorship and help connect entrepreneurs with new market opportunities.

I understand firsthand how important entrepreneurship is for rural women, being co-owner of a second-hand car business with my husband. I use my own experiences to help others launch sustainable businesses and achieve independence. It’s really rewarding to see young women succeed, make a profit, and be able to support more children to go to school.

When we work collectively, we can achieve more

As CAMFED Association members, we share the little resources we have with vulnerable people in our communities — not because we have plenty, but because we understand what it means to go to school on an empty stomach, without shoes, books, or hope for the future. With CAMFED’s support, we have achieved so much, and we are reinvesting the benefits of our education into the next generation of girls.

In March 2024, a group of CAMFED Association members in various professions donated over 21,000 Zambian Kwacha (around $808 USD at the time of writing) to the CAMFED Association philanthropy fund, supporting over 23,000 vulnerable children in school. I’m so excited by the potential of our collective philanthropy, because every cent counts when we invest in girls’ education.

Through the CAMFED Association philanthropy fund, we are pooling our resources to pay forward the benefits of our education.

Learning from one another and growing together

When I joined the CAMFED Association in 2005, I was a timid and shy girl. Since then, I’ve seen growth not just in myself, but in the CAMFED Association network as a whole. Together, we’re changing the narrative for rural young women from underserved communities.

Here I am (far right) with my CAMFED Association sisters at the African Youth Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit in Lusaka, Zambia, held in August, 2023. (Credit: CAMFED)

The relationship between us founding CAMFED Association members and new joiners is like that of big and little sisters. We mentor the younger members, and they bring fresh energy and ideas, particularly when it comes to amplifying our voices across social media. It’s a mutually supportive dynamic — by encouraging one another, we believe in ourselves.

I’m so proud to lead alongside game changing young women like Lisa, an expert in public administration, and Naomi, an authority on climate-smart agriculture (who I’m pictured with above). Outside of Zambia, in our wider pan-African network, we count thousands more trailblazers including Forget, Eliza, and Getruda. All of us stand as powerful role models for the next generation, advocating for gender equity in education on a global stage.

Here I am speaking at the CAMFED Association Zambia Annual General Meeting in Lusaka, 2023. (Credit: CAMFED/Innocent Chapewa)