Harare, Zimbabwe – May 30, 2025 The Forum for African Women Educationalists Zimbabwe (FAWEZI) will host a high-level event to launch the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Program alongside its new 2024–2028 Strategic Plan at Golden Conifer, Harare. The gathering is expected to draw national policymakers, development partners, academic leaders, civil society actors, representatives from 9 FAWE chapters implementing the same together with Zimbabwe.

At the core of this launch is the seven-year FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Program, dubbed “Second Chance Pathways for Increased Access to Tertiary Education for Marginalised Young Women and Men.” The program aims to benefit 10555  disadvantaged backgrounds across 10 African countries, including Zimbabwe, including those in economically, conflict-affected, and climate-affected areas, as well as refugee populations and individuals facing harmful practices. Disaggregated by sex, the program’s participants are 80% young women and 20% young men, with 5-15% of the sum representing persons with disabilities. The program will introduce inclusive and flexible learning routes such as the Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC) and Higher Education Access Program (HEAP)

In alignment with this transformative program, FAWEZI will launch its 2024 – 2028 Strategic Plan, which outlines its renewed commitment to addressing systemic barriers to education. The strategy is centered on eliminating gender disparities, increasing access to STEM and STEAM fields, expanding alternative education opportunities such as TVET, and strengthening institutional collaboration to build long-term impact.

Distinguished Guests Expected to Attend Include:

• Hon. Ambassador Dr. Fredrick Shava, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development (MoHTEISD)
• Hon. Dr. Torerayi Moyo, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE)
• Professor Dzvimbo, Chief Executive Officer at Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education
• Dr. T Mudondo, Tertiary Education Service Council TESC
• Dr. Martha Muhwezi, Executive Director, FAWE Africa (FAWE)
• Representative from the Mastercard Foundation
• Dr. Fay Chung, (FAWEZI) Founding Member and former Minister of Education
• Professor Ruth Gora, (FAWEZI) Executive Committee Chairperson
• Ms. Lydia Madyirapanze, Executive Director, (FAWEZI)

Event Highlights Will Include:

• Official presentation of the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Program and the 2024 – 2028 FAWEZI Strategic Plan
• Experience sharing session from FAWE Uganda on bridging programs
• Solidarity messages from key partners, including CAMFED, UNICEF, and UNHCR

• Keynote addresses from:

1. Ambassador Dr. Fredrick Shava, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development (MoHTEISD)
2. Dr. Torerayi Moyo, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE)
3. Prof Sunungurai Chingarande FAWE Africa Board Representative
4. Martha Muhwezi, FAWE Africa Executive Director
5. Professor Ruth Gora, FAWEZI Executive Committee Chairperson

• Cultural entertainment and award presentations recognizing champions of girls’ education

This event marks a milestone in Zimbabwe’s journey toward inclusive education and reaffirms FAWEZI’s role in empowering young people, particularly marginalized girls and women, to access and thrive in quality learning environments.

Media Coverage:

Media coverage for the activities is strictly by invitation.

For more information, please contact:

Menard Ziko

Information and Communications Officer, FAWEZI

Email: infoandcomms@fawezi.org