Greetings FAWEZI Community,
It is with gratitude that I present this reflection of FAWEZI’s work in the third quarter of 2025. This period has been marked by remarkable progress in advancing our mission to promote gender-transformative education, strengthen institutional systems, and strengthen partnerships that enable equitable access to quality learning and training opportunities for girls and young women across Zimbabwe.

Building upon the strong foundations laid in the first half of the year, notably the successful launch of the FAWEZI Strategic Plan 2024–2028 and the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme, the third quarter has been one of consolidation, action, and strategic engagement. Our efforts have focused on translating our commitments into tangible results, strengthening and amplifying our advocacy footprint at national, regional, and global levels.

Expanding Access and Opportunities through TVET Bursaries
A defining highlight of this quarter was the rollout of the Call for Applications for 200 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Bursaries under the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme for the 2026 academic year. This initiative aims to provide marginalised young women and men aged 15–25 including refugees and persons with disabilities with the opportunity to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-related programmes at Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Kwekwe Polytechnics, and Belvedere Technical Teachers College.

To ensure equitable outreach, FAWEZI worked closely with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) in distributing application forms through district offices in all ten provinces and mobilising digital submissions through our website www.fawezi.org. FAWEZI further extended sensitization efforts to Tongogara Refugee Settlement in Chipinge, to ensure inclusive participation. This hybrid model ensures accessibility, transparency, and efficiency, while reinforcing our zero-tolerance policy on child abuse, sexual exploitation, and harassment by employees, volunteers, service providers, partners, and all persons involved in programme delivery. Application for the bursaries will close on the 30th of October, 2025.

Strengthening Partnerships for Quality Education Delivery
During this quarter, FAWEZI joined Joint Monitoring Visits (JMVs) led by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts, Manicaland Province. The visits, conducted in partnership with provincial education authorities and development partners, assessed twelve schools to evaluate regulatory compliance and the quality of education delivery. Using a structured monitoring tool, the exercise provided valuable insights that will inform collective action toward improved learning environments and outcomes for all learners, particularly girls.

Global Thought Leadership and Advocacy
FAWEZI’s voice continued to resonate beyond national borders as we participated in the UKFIET – The Education and Development Forum International Conference 2025 in Oxford, United Kingdom, a premier global platform focused on education and sustainable development. Under the theme “Mobilising Knowledge, Partnerships, and Innovations for Sustainable Development through Education and Training,” FAWEZI’s Executive Director, Ms. Lydia Madyirapanze, contributed to a high-level session on Embedding Violence Prevention and Response into Primary and Secondary Education Systems. The presentation, co-delivered with global experts from UNESCO, Child Fund International, and Project Jeune Leader (Madagascar), showcased innovative models and practical lessons from Zimbabwe’s education sector.

This engagement strengthened FAWEZI’s international visibility as a credible thought leader in advancing safe, inclusive, and gender-responsive education systems. It also reinforced our role in shaping global dialogues on how education can be used as a tool for violence prevention and social transformation.

Championing Gender Equality and Institutional Collaboration
FAWEZI was honoured to join the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) in commemorating its 10th Anniversary alongside the 2025 National Gender Forum under the theme “ZGC@10 – Reflecting on the Achievements and the Future of Gender Equality in Zimbabwe.” This milestone gathering brought together government representatives, development partners, civil society organisations, academia, and the private sector to reflect on the nation’s gender equality trajectory.

As a recognised actor in gender, education, and social justice, FAWEZI exhibited at the Forum, showcasing our transformative programs, and partnerships that continue to advance the rights and empowerment of girls and women through education. Our participation reaffirmed FAWEZI’s standing as a trusted partner in Zimbabwe’s broader gender equality ecosystem.

Engagement and Innovation at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show
FAWEZI’s participation at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show 2025 provided an important platform to popularise the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme. The FAWEZI team engaged with partner TVET and tertiary institutions and interacted with young innovators presenting STEM-driven projects that respond to national development needs.
We also supported the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in amplifying its visibility during the Show, highlighting innovative projects from high school learners transitioning into TVET and higher learning. Notably, several of these innovations were previously awarded at FAWEZI’s STEM Fairs in Epworth and Hopley earlier this year demonstrating the long-term impact of nurturing creativity and scientific curiosity among young learners.

Regional and Alumni Engagements
At the regional level, FAWEZI’s Executive Director Ms. Lydia Madyirapanze represented FAWE Africa’ Executive Director, Dr. Martha R. L. Muhwezi during the Feminist Network for Gender Transformative Education (FemNet4GTE) 2025 Regional Action Workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya. The two-day convening brought together governments, youth leaders, academics, and civil society actors to explore strategies for embedding gender equality in education systems. Representing Dr. Martha R. L. Muhwezi, FAWE Africa’s Executive Director, Ms. Lydia Madyirapanze underscored the need for collaborative frameworks that advance transformative education across the continent.

In the same spirit of continental collaboration, two FAWEZI alumni Ms. Wendy Muzite and Ms. Rutendo Chidemo represented Zimbabwe at the inaugural FAWE Alumni Convening in Kigali, Rwanda. The convening celebrated FAWE’s 30-year legacy, bringing together alumni from 33 African countries to reflect on their collective impact and envision the future of the FAWE movement.

Driving Local Action and STEM Innovation
FAWEZI, in partnership with MoPSE and UNICEF, conducted a monitoring visit to Epworth High School under the Transforming Adolescent Girls’ Opportunities through STEM project. The visit showcased the tangible impact of the project, as learners demonstrated innovative STEM solutions, including a solar-powered lawn mower, eco-friendly skincare products, and a custom public announcement system. These innovations exemplify the potential of girls as leaders and creators in science and technology when provided with equal opportunities.
Institutional Strengthening and Strategic Engagements
FAWEZI hosted colleagues from the FAWE Africa Regional Secretariat for strategic engagements focusing on governance, accountability, and operational excellence. These sessions were instrumental in aligning our systems and reinforcing organisational resilience to deliver sustainable impact.
As part of its ongoing strategic engagements, FAWEZI also met with the representatives from the Delegation of the European Union to Zimbabwe, where the organization presented its work, strategic direction, and key areas of focus under the new FAWEZI Strategic Plan (2024–2028). The meeting provided an important opportunity to explore areas of collaboration and partnership in advancing inclusive education, gender equality, and skills development for young women and girls.

We also paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr. Torerayi Moyo, to express gratitude for the Ministry’s unwavering support during the launch of the FAWEZI Strategic Plan (2024–2028) and the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme. This engagement reaffirmed our mutual commitment to advancing education that empowers all learners — particularly girls and young women.

Through these strategic interactions, FAWEZI continues to position itself as a credible, accountable, and transformative organisation that is driving the agenda for girls’ education and empowerment.

As we conclude this quarter, FAWEZI stands at a pivotal moment of growth and consolidation. Our work continues to be driven by the belief that education is not only a human right but also a powerful instrument for equality, innovation, and national transformation.

I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our partners for their continued collaboration, trust, and shared vision. Together, we are demonstrating that collective action, anchored in gender equality and education, can indeed shape a more just and equitable future for all.

With renewed commitment,
Lydia Madyirapanze
Executive Director, FAWEZI