Barbara Chilangwa

Barbara Chilangwa is a graduate of the University of Zambia and a former secondary school teacher who rose through the ranks to the top Civil Service position of Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education.

As a renowned educationalist and girls’ education activist, she spearheaded the establishment of Zambia’s Girls’ Education Program during her tenure of office. Barbara invited CAMFED to introduce its program to Zambia and served as Patron before taking up the position of Executive Director at CAMFED Zambia, and, later, Executive Advisor, before chairing the Board of CAMFED Kenya when operations began there in 2025.

Barbara has a wealth of experience in education reform and girls’ and women’s issues, and led Zambia’s multi-sectoral, national approach to child protection. She is a former board member of the Global Partnership for Education, which brings together developing country partners, donors, multilateral agencies, and the private sector to achieve the common goal of getting all children into school for a quality education.