The Forum for African Women Educationalists Zimbabwe (FAWEZI), with support from FAWE and the Mastercard Foundation, convened a dynamic Young Women’s Convening bringing together students, academics, and key stakeholders to advance leadership, advocacy, and inclusion within tertiary and technical education spaces. The convening created a vibrant platform for dialogue on safe, inclusive learning environments and leadership opportunities for young women in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and STEM fields.

The convening was attended by FAWEZI Executive Committee Chairperson Prof. Ruth Gora, Vice Secretary Mrs. C. Dimingu, FAWEZI Secretariat, Members, Alumni, 90 young women from Harare Polytechnic and Belvedere Technical Teachers’ College, as well as stakeholders from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development (MHTEISTD), the Tertiary Education Service Council (TESC), the National AIDS Council (NAC), Youth Aspire Development Trust (YADT), and teaching staff from participating institutions.

Government and Stakeholders Urge Greater Participation of Young Women in STEM and TVET

In a speech read on his behalf by the Principal Human Capital Planning and Skills Development Officer, Mr. James Kapumha, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira commended FAWEZI for convening young women from diverse institutions.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to the Forum for African Women Educationalists Zimbabwe for organising this important event. We particularly commend you for intentionally bringing together the young women of Harare Polytechnic and Belvedere Technical Teachers’ College. Creating spaces where students from different technical, teacher education, and high school backgrounds can converge, share experiences, and build networks is precisely the kind of collaborative action that drives meaningful change,” he said.

Prof. Tagwira highlighted the need to translate the 2026 International Women’s Day theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” into tangible improvements in learning institutions.

“It is not merely a slogan; it is a call to accountability. We must move beyond rhetoric to ensure that the rights of every young woman are protected, that justice is accessible, and that our actions create tangible improvements in your daily lives,” he said.

He challenged the young women to take up leadership roles in national development:

“You are not just participants in this nation’s development; you are its architects. You are the engineers, the technicians, the educators, and the problem-solvers who will drive the industrialisation and modernisation of our country.”

The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to addressing sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and disability inclusion on campuses.

“We must work together to ensure our campuses are physically accessible, equipped with assistive technologies, and staffed by personnel who understand the diverse needs of all students, including young women with disabilities,” he said.

TESC Highlights Safe and Inclusive Learning as a Priority

Speaking on behalf of TESC Secretary Dr. Tafadzwa Mundoga, Teacher Education Officer Mrs. Raviro Mawarire emphasized the importance of creating environments where all students can thrive.

“Tertiary institutions are critical engines for national development, innovation, and social mobility. But we must recognise that those engines only run at full capacity when the learning environments they create are safe, inclusive, and accessible to every student,” she said.

Dr. Mundoga reinforced TESC’s commitment to strengthening safeguarding mechanisms, promoting gender-responsive policies, and prioritising disability inclusion across institutions.

“We will coordinate with the Ministry, FAWEZI, institutions, and partners to integrate these priorities into institutional accreditation criteria, monitoring frameworks, and capacity-building programmes. We will expand access to STEM opportunities through internships, mentorships, and scholarships targeting young women, and we will report on progress to remain accountable to the students we serve,” he added.

FAWEZI Amplifies Young Women’s Voices

FAWEZI Executive Committee Chairperson Prof. Ruth Gora framed the convening as an opportunity to strengthen advocacy and leadership skills among young women.

“Today’s Young Women’s Convening has been designed as a vibrant and empowering space where young women can share their voices, engage in dialogue, express their creativity, and strengthen their leadership and advocacy skills,” Prof. Gora said.

She acknowledged ongoing challenges such as sexual harassment, gender-based violence, limited leadership opportunities, and under-representation in STEM fields.

“International Women’s Day therefore provides an important platform not only to celebrate the achievements of women and girls, but also to listen, reflect, and act,” she said.

Prof. Gora emphasized FAWEZI’s commitment to inclusive and quality education, highlighting initiatives such as the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation programme, which expands access to tertiary education for marginalized youth.

“To the young women present here today, your voices matter, your ideas matter, and your leadership matters. The future of our institutions, our communities, and our nation will be shaped by your courage to speak, to lead, and to act.”

Strengthening Collaboration for Inclusive Education

The convening concluded with a call for strengthened partnerships among government, institutions, and civil society to ensure that outcomes translate into policy and practice improvements. Participants underscored the importance of creating safe, inclusive, and opportunity-rich tertiary education environments that respond to the diverse needs of young women, including those with disabilities.

The event demonstrated the transformative potential of strategic convenings in building networks, amplifying young women’s voices, and fostering actionable strategies for inclusive and gender-responsive tertiary education systems in Zimbabwe.