Natasha Lwanda

Elected to the position of CAMFED Association National Chairperson at the end of 2020, and serving until 2022, Natasha led a network of nearly 14,000 young women in Zambia, who are paying forward the benefits of their education by supporting each other, and more girls in their communities, to learn, thrive and lead.

Natasha, whose family struggled to meet her school-going costs, was supported by CAMFED to complete her secondary education in Milenge District. With the worry about the cost of school fees and supplies removed, she excelled at school, and held a number of leadership positions, including as secretary for the school council, secretary for the debate and science clubs, and chairperson for the Anti-AIDS club, before serving as Head Girl.

Natasha joined the CAMFED Association of women leaders in 2014, seized the opportunity to train in entrepreneurship, business and life skills, and started a small grocery business, supporting herself and contributing to her family. She enrolled at the University of Zambia, graduating with a Bachelor of Education in Environmental Management in 2020. Natasha uses her intimate experience of poverty and exclusion to support other young women in their aspirations, and to become influential in society. She is passionate about seeing every girl educated, valued, respected and economically independent.