Lusaka, Zambia – CAMFED Zambia has announced that 894 students have benefited from its tertiary support program in 2024, providing critical financial assistance and resources to young women across the country. The initiative includes the payment of tuition fees, accommodation support, and the provision of laptops to enhance learning and academic performance.
Speaking at the CAMFED Tertiary Program Symposium held in Lusaka today, CAMFED Zambia’s Executive Director, Namenda Malupande, emphasized that the initiative is part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to the educational advancement of vulnerable young women in Zambia. “Our goal is to ensure that these young women, despite the challenges they face, are equipped with the tools and resources to succeed in their academic endeavors,” said Ms. Malupande.
According to statistics shared during the event, 95% of girls from poor families in rural Sub-Saharan Africa never complete secondary education. In Zambia specifically, only 3% of girls manage to complete secondary school. These alarming figures highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to support young women in their educational journeys.
Malupande stressed that CAMFED’s support is crucial for breaking down the barriers that prevent young women from continuing their education beyond secondary school. The provision of laptops, accommodation, and tuition is part of the broader effort to create equal opportunities and empower these women for a better future.
Officiating at the event, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Art Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports, Kangwa Chileshe, echoed the importance of supporting vulnerable girls, noting that empowering the girl child is both a matter of justice and a vital investment in the nation’s future. “By investing in education, we are investing in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers,” said Chileshe.
CAMFED Zambia’s tertiary support program is seen as a step forward in the ongoing fight to ensure that young women, particularly from rural areas, have the opportunity to pursue their academic and professional goals. The program not only provides financial assistance but also aims to build a robust network of young women leaders who will contribute to the development of their communities and the nation.
