FAWEZI with support from FAWE and the Mastercard Foundation, , convened a Stakeholder Sensitisation Meeting in Bulawayo, bringing together representatives from 5 TVET institutions, 1 agricultural training institution, and 1 technical teachers training institution, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, and the Tertiary Education Service Council. The meeting served as a crucial platform to introduce the Second Chance Pathways for Increased Access to Tertiary Education for Marginalised Young Women and Men Program // FAWE-Mastercard Phase II Program 

The Second Chance Pathways program is a 7-year initiative designed to enhance access to tertiary education and dignified employment for marginalized young women and men, with a strong focus on promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The program is aligned with continental and national strategies such as the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016–2025) and Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (2021–2025).

FAWEZI Executive Director, Ms Lydia Madyirapanze, explained that the program seeks to promote opportunities for young women and men, particularly those who have completed secondary education and face barriers to entering tertiary institutions.

“We seek to promote young women and men who have finished secondary education and want to transit to tertiary education. We are targeting those coming from marginalised backgrounds who need support to proceed to colleges and universities,” she said.

Highlighting the program’s commitment to inclusivity, Ms Madyirapanze added:
“So, it’s inclusive, we are not just assisting young women but young men as well. We also want to ensure that five to 15 percent of the students benefiting are students with disabilities.”

Under the initiative, 80 percent of the beneficiaries will be young women, with the remaining 20 percent being young men. The program is being rolled out across 10 African countries where FAWE has membership, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Liberia. Across the region, it aims to support more than 10,000 students through technical vocational training colleges and universities by 2030.

In Zimbabwe, FAWEZI is partnering with several local institutions to identify eligible beneficiaries. These include Esigodini Agricultural College, Bulawayo Polytechnic, Gweru Polytechnic, Kwekwe Polytechnic, Belvedere Technical Teachers College, Mutare Polytechnic, Lupane State University, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences, and Bindura University of Science Education.

Ms Madyirapanze also emphasized the importance of challenging gender stereotypes that deter female students from pursuing STEM careers.
“I should also state that as an organisation we want to demystify the stereotypes that are surrounding STEM courses,” she said.

During the discussions, it was noted that there is still a low uptake of STEM courses by female students at polytechnics and universities, an issue the program aims to address through awareness, financial support, and strengthened pathways to tertiary education.

Ms Madyirapanze stressed that without significant female participation in STEM fields, inclusive national development would remain elusive.
“The country will not achieve inclusive development when few women take STEM courses,” she said.

Supporting the initiative, Harare Polytechnic College spokesperson, Mr Admire Masuku, said:
“I think there are quite a number of challenges that students face as they pursue their studies. Most of the challenges have to do with funding and accommodation.”

He added that the program would help increase the number of female students who are able to complete their STEM courses.

Similarly, Kwekwe Polytechnic College principal, Mr Evans Musara, highlighted the program’s potential impact on rural communities:
“We have seen cases, especially in Gokwe, where girls do not proceed to colleges or universities. This prompted us to introduce ‘under our work for fees programme.’”

The Stakeholder Sensitisation Meeting provided a vital platform for TVET institutions, government representatives, and FAWEZI to align efforts, strengthen collaboration, and lay the groundwork for improved access to STEM education among marginalized young Zimbabweans.