Online Reporter
Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
MORE than 10 550 young women aged 15 to 25 from 10 Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) countries will benefit from the second phase of the MasterCard Foundation Programme.
The countries include Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, Liberia, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Rwanda. The FAWE Zimbabwe Chapter (FAWEZI) has officially launched this second phase alongside its Strategic Plan for 2024-2028.
This plan outlines a budget of US$11,7 million over five years, allocated across three strategic objectives.
These are quality education, advocacy and policy influence, knowledge generation and dissemination.
During the official launch, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, the Permanent Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education also announced plans to reintroduce the Girl Child Scholarship Fund, which is set to start in 2026. This scholarship was unveiled during the Women in Science Conference held in March this year.
Prof Tagwira emphasised that the FAWEZI event aligns with President Mnangagwa’s vision for “an inclusive society that leaves no one and no place behind.”
Additionally, FAWEZI initiatives support the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2026-2035), advocating for transformative, inclusive and lifelong learning systems across the continent.
He noted that the MasterCard Foundation programme was presented to Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development in 2024 and will run until 2030.
He commended FAWEZI for promoting equitable access to education and championing science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education for girls and young women.
“The programme aligns closely with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1, which prioritises human capital development and supports our ongoing efforts to close the gender gap in higher education, especially in the sciences,” said Prof Tagwira.
“While women have made significant progress in the arts, achieving parity or exceeding male participation, female representation in STEM remains disproportionately low at approximately 37 percent.”
Prof Tagwira referred to a national skills audit conducted in 2019, which indicated a shortage of science and engineering professionals and highlighted the alarming gender gap in these fields.
“This programme is timely and strategic. It directly responds to our national priorities,” he stated.
“It improves access to tertiary and technical vocational education and training (TVET) through innovative, gender-inclusive pathways and stronger industry connections,” he said.
Prof Tagwira invited FAWEZI and its partners to collaborate on the upcoming National Development Strategy 2, where the ministry will spearhead innovation in the human capital sector.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive education.
Chief Director in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Mr Mudyiwa said this programme is not merely an intervention, but a “beacon of hope” for marginalised young people across Zimbabwe including girls, learners with disabilities and refugee youth.
“This initiative sends a powerful message that every learner, regardless of their background, matters. Their education is worthy of investment,” he said.
“We have observed that students with disabilities have been admitted into schools, but left behind due to a lack of assistive devices.
“We are now saying that any student with a disability admitted will receive every necessary device to ensure they can learn safely and effectively.”
With Africa’s youth population rapidly growing, the FAWE-MasterCard partnership envisions young people as job creators rather than just job seekers.
In Zimbabwe, this aligns directly with national goals to industrialise, enhance literacy skills, and achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030.
The programme also complements Zimbabwe’s Work-for-Fees initiative, which allows financially struggling students to earn tuition by contributing to institutional work programmes, ensuring that no student has to drop out due to economic reasons.
“A young girl who might have been destined to become a domestic worker may now aspire to be an engineer or entrepreneur.
“That’s the power of this initiative,” said Mr Mudyiwa.
“The success of our efforts isn’t measured in the buildings we construct, but in the lives we transform. You, FAWE and the MasterCard Foundation are planting trees under whose shade you may never sit, but in doing so, you are shaping futures, and we are grateful.”
In her opening remarks, the FAWEZI executive committee chairperson, Prof Ruth Gora, said promoting girls and women’s education is a complex challenge that requires a multifaceted approach.
“We are committed to working hand-in-hand with all stakeholders to dismantle the barriers that hinder access to quality education,” she said.
FAWEZI executive director Mrs Lydia Madyirapanze said at the heart of the programme are eight strategic components designed to eliminate systemic barriers and support students from enrolment through to employment:
These include a Higher Education Access Programme which facilitates entry into tertiary institutions for youth from marginalised and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
A Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC) is a bridging qualification that assists academically underprepared students in meeting entry requirements for further study.
Also, a responsive curricular model promotes inclusive, flexible teaching approaches that are aligned with evolving labour market demands.
