FAWEZA (Forum for African Women Educationalists of Zambia) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation in Zambia that focuses on gender equity and equality in education. It is the Zambian chapter of the larger Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), which operates across Africa. FAWEZA was established in 1996 under the initiative of Hon. Dr. Kabunda Kayongo, Zambia’s first female Minister of Education.

Mission, Vision & Values

Vision: A Zambia where females and males have equitable access to education at all levels, and both participate in and benefit equally from national development.

Mission: To advocate for policies that promote gender equity, equality, and inclusiveness in education by fostering positive attitudes toward girls’, boys’, and women’s education.

Core Values: Empowerment through education, inclusiveness, innovation, integrity, and partnership.

Areas of Work

Advocacy & Policy Engagement
FAWEZA works with government and stakeholders to review, influence, and monitor education policies and laws to ensure they do not disadvantage girls and women.

Demonstrative Projects
The organisation runs on-ground projects that raise awareness of barriers to education such as child marriage, school-related gender-based violence, and lack of re-entry opportunities for girls who drop out.

Health & Economic Empowerment
Programs integrate health and economic support to help girls and women overcome challenges that hinder access to education.

Governance & Institutional Management
FAWEZA strengthens its own structures and capacities so it can effectively deliver programs nationwide.

Community Mobilisation
The organisation engages communities, traditional leaders, schools, and parents to challenge cultural norms and encourage support for girls’ education.

Reach & Structure

FAWEZA operates in all ten provinces of Zambia.

It is registered under the Registrar of Societies in Zambia.

Its headquarters are in Lusaka, with a National Secretariat overseeing day-to-day operations and a National Executive Committee providing strategic leadership.

Examples of Recent Work

The EVE Project (Empowering Vulnerable Children with Education): A collaboration with partners to increase access to education in Namwala District, tackling barriers such as child marriage and gender-based violence.

Re-entry Advocacy: Promoting policies and practices that allow girls who drop out—particularly due to pregnancy—to return and continue their education.