Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) Zambia, has hosted the 2025 Tertiary Students’ Fair in Lusaka, bringing together young women that benefit from its transformative education support programme.
Speaking at the event, Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary, for technical Services, Kelvin Mambwe, in a speech read for him by Assistant Director for University Education, Pamela Banda, commended CAMFED Zambia for supporting 1,371 students to pursue tertiary education across the country.
“This is very commendable, it is not just a number. It represents lives transformed, dreams revived, and futures reclaimed,” Mr Mambwe said.
The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to promoting inclusive, equitable and quality education for all, noting that partnerships with organisations like CAMFED are critical to achieving the goal.
“As a Ministry, we remain deeply committed to providing accessible, equitable, inclusive and quality education at all levels,” he said.
He, however, said the Government acknowledges that challenges still remain, especially for young women and students from rural and marginalised communities, who face barriers such as financial hardship, limited resources, or lack of mentorship and networks.
He praised the CAMFED model for going beyond scholarships to provide life skills, leadership development, and peer support through the CAMFED Association, describing it as transformative and sustainable.
“Today, the labour market demands more than degrees. It demands skills, adaptability, innovation, and ethical leadership,” he said.
CAMFED Zambia National Director, Namenda Malupande revealed that the organisation provides support to the young women enrolled in tertiary education under its programme.
“This includes mentorship, bringing in guest speakers to speak to young women about topics that matter to them, and also providing laptops to ensure that they can participate in the digital age,” Ms Malupande said.
She added that CAMFED has also trained focal point persons in tertiary institutions to act as links between the students, institutions and CAMFED, and to provide on-campus mentorship support.
“We are also looking at addressing the challenge of accommodation for supported young women, including partnering with boarding houses that have strong safeguarding components,” she said.
Meanwhile, Copperbelt University CAMFED Association Chairperson, Karen Kabwe, encouraged fellow students not to take the opportunity for granted, urging them to remain focused and work hard to succeed.
This year’s CAMFED Zambia Tertiary Students’ Fair, was held under the theme “Raising Together Skills, Strength and Success, Empowering Every Voice, Shaping Every Path.”
