dyton mupawaenda
Herald Reporter
Mrs Fortunate Kufakunesu, author and founder of Lily of Valleys Home of Hope and Life Issues Solutions Hub, has won the Gender Empowerment Award at the 2025 Women Changing the World Awards.
The awards ceremony was recently held at the Park Hyatt, River Thames, London, in the United Kingdom, honouring women who have achieved outstanding success in areas such as sustainability, humanitarian work, leadership, and education.
Mrs Kufakunesu was competing in the Gender Empowerment Category alongside 11 other contestants.
The awards were presented by Dr Tererai Trent, a globally recognised activist for women empowerment.
In an interview, Mrs Kufakunesu reflected on her excitement and gratitude upon hearing her name announced as the winner.
“When I heard my name announced, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and validation for all the hard work and dedication that has been poured into this journey,” she said.
She stressed that the award was a game-changer for her as it spotlighted the impact of gender empowerment and the ripple effect it can have when women lift each other up. “I was humbled to be among other trailblazing women in my category, each making a lasting difference in their own unique way. Their untiring strength, resilience, and innovative spirit fuel my passion to continue breaking barriers and striving for greatness,” Mrs Kufakunesu said.
In the past 12 months, she has made significant strides in empowering young women and girls.
Some of her notable achievements include constructing a community knowledge hub and donating her book, “Unleashing Her Potential: Guiding a Girl into an Empowered Woman”, to 11 793 girls.
The Women Changing the World Awards recognise women who are leading the way in making a positive impact globally.
Dr Trent’s vision for the awards is to ignite a global movement, empowering women to reclaim their dreams and unite in creating a brighter future for all. “These awards are a call to action, a reminder that together, we can forge a path towards a more equitable and just world,” she said.
This recognition comes at a time when efforts to empower women and girls are gaining momentum. Recent events, such as the Women in Financial Markets Conference 2025, have highlighted the importance of financial and legal literacy in empowering women.
A multifaceted personality, Mrs Kufakunesu’s achievements are an inspiration to women and girls everywhere, demonstrating the impact that can be made through dedication and hard work.
Her vision for the future includes continuing to impact hundreds of thousands of girls and young women via education and entrepreneurship empowerment. She strongly believes that her purpose is to serve girls and women in times of need.
Through her noble mission, Mrs Kufakunesu also won a top gong for the non-profit category at the Women Changing the World Awards 2024.
Online Reporter