Forum for African Women Educationalists in Malawi - fawema

16/06/2026

12/06/2026

𝐅𝐀𝐖𝐄𝐌𝐀, 𝐌𝐖𝐅 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞

The Forum for African Women Educationalists in Malawi (FAWEMA), in partnership with the Malawi Washington Foundation (MWF), hosted a reception in Lilongwe on Tuesday to celebrate alumni who completed undergraduate programmes with support from the foundation.

Held at FAWEMA’s secretariat, the event recognised the academic achievements of young women who benefited from the scholarship initiative.

Speaking at the ceremony, FAWEMA Executive Director Mr Wesley Chabwera commended the graduates for overcoming difficult circumstances to achieve academic success. He described them as role models and ambassadors of change for girls and young women in their communities.

“We are happy to be part of your life-changing stories, and we believe that this transformation will inspire other girls,” said Chabwera.

He noted that many beneficiaries joined the programme when difficult socio-economic circumstances put them at risk of dropping out of school. Chabwera urged them to continue making a difference by mentoring and supporting others facing similar challenges.

“You are now empowered and, once you are established, you can consider supporting other girls,” he added.

MWF Board Chairperson Professor Linda Semu, who attended as guest of honour, also applauded the alumni for their resilience and determination in pursuing higher education.

“It gives the foundation great joy to see young women achieving this academic milestone, and it motivates us to continue supporting more girls,” said Professor Semu.

She encouraged them to remain focused and work diligently as they transition into their professional careers.

One beneficiary, Chimwemwe Chithyoka, thanked FAWEMA and MWF for their support, saying the scholarship had transformed their lives.

“Without the support from these institutions, our academic journey would have been nearly impossible. You gave us more than tuition and accommodation—you gave us a future,” she said.

The scholarship programme, implemented through a partnership between FAWEMA and MWF, aims to support vulnerable young women in accessing higher education and empowering them to become leaders and drivers of change in their communities.

02/06/2026

𝐅𝐀𝐖𝐄𝐌𝐀 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 “𝐓𝐢𝐲𝐞𝐧𝐢 𝐓𝐢𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞/𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐍𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐢” 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭.

The Forum for African Women Educationalists - Malawi chapter (FAWEMA), in partnership with Canadian Organization for Development through Education (CODE), on Friday May 29 launched the “Tiyeni Tiwerenge – Let’s Read Ntchisi” project aimed at improving literacy levels among primary school learners in Ntchisi district.
The initiative is targeting standard three and four learners in Kayoyo Zone and is benefiting 1,220 learners across 11 schools. The project is also supporting 55 teachers, including 20 auxiliary teachers who have already undergone specialized trainings.
Speaking during the launch, FAWEMA Executive Director, Mr Wesley Chabwera emphasized the importance of developing reading skills at an early stage.
“For learners to perform well academically, they must first learn how to read because every subject requires reading skills,” he said.
Mr. Chabwera expressed excitement after witnessing the level of coordination and commitment being demonstrated in schools and communities.
He therefore urged parents to actively support their children’s education by ensuring they attend school regularly and monitoring their learning progress at home.
Director of Education and Sports for Ntchisi Mr Shadreck Chakwawa welcomed the project and applauded its efforts in bridging literacy gaps within the district.
“This is a significant contribution towards achieving the education aspirations outlined in the Malawi 2063 agenda,” he said.
The two-year project is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education and local communities to strengthen reading culture, improve classroom learning environments, and provide teaching and reading materials.
Community leaders have pledged support by working with local chiefs to promote school attendance and reduce absenteeism among learners.
The “Tiyeni Tiwerenge – Let’s Read Ntchisi” project is expected to significantly improve literacy outcomes and strengthen foundational learning skills among children in Ntchisi District.

31/05/2026

Forum for African Women Educationalists in Malawi (Fawema) has launched a K400 million literacy project in Ntchisi to help promote a reading culture among learners in early classes in the district.
The project dubbed "Tiyeni Tiwerenge", which is targeting learners in Standard 3 and 4 seeks to work with the Ministry of Education to improve learning abilities of young learners in 11 primary schools in the district.
Speaking during the launch at Kayoyo Primary School in the district, Fawema executive director Wesley Chabwera said the project is a response to the challenges that learners in early grades face in schools.
On his part, director of education and sports for the district,Shadreck Chakwawa said the project will help complement government’s efforts to improve education.
The organisation is implementing the two-year project with funding from the Canadian Organisation for Development through Education.

28/05/2026

𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 #𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝

Today is World Menstrual Hygiene Day. The day is observed annually as a global platform to raise awareness of the challenges many women and girls face in managing menstruation safely and with dignity.
This year’s theme is, “Together for a ,” emphasizing the importance of collective action and calling on governments, communities, organizations, and individuals to work hand in hand to ensure that menstruation does not hinder education, employment, wellbeing, or full participation in social life.
FAWEMA proudly stands in solidarity with both local and international partners in commemorating this important day. Beyond advocacy, FAWEMA is taking a leading role in advancing practical and safeguarding-centered solutions to ensure that menstruation does not keep girls out of school or expose them to shame, discrimination, exclusion, or other protection risks.
Through its school-based mother groups, FAWEMA is empowering communities to challenge and dismantle the stigma and myths surrounding menstruation while promoting safe spaces where girls can speak openly, access support, and manage menstruation with confidence and dignity. These groups are also mobilizing resources and building capacity to produce reusable sanitary pads, which are distributed to girls in primary schools.
This initiative plays a critical role in reducing absenteeism, promoting inclusive education, strengthening girls’ wellbeing, and improving equitable access to learning opportunities.
Under the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation tertiary education bursary programme, female project participants receive financial support to access sufficient sanitary services. By addressing both the social and practical barriers to menstrual hygiene, while promoting safeguarding, dignity, confidentiality, and protection for every girl, FAWEMA is contributing to a future where every girl can attend school safely, confidently, and without fear or stigma.
#

22/05/2026

𝐅𝐀𝐖𝐄𝐌𝐀 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝟕𝟓𝟎 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

The Forum for African Women Educationalists in Malawi (FAWEMA) has announced that it will award 750 bursaries to young women and young men to support their entry to higher education through bridging programmes at selected universities across the country.
FAWEMA Executive Director, Wesley Chabwera, said the initiative is being implemented under the Second Chance Pathways for Increased Access to Tertiary Education for Marginalized Young Women and Men programme, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

Chabwera explained that the fully funded programme is designed for young people seeking to strengthen their academic readiness and improve their chances of gaining admission into university.
“We target young people from marginalized backgrounds to enable their admission into university through bridging programmes to pursue four-year degree courses in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at selected universities,” he said.

Out of the 750 bursaries, 80 percent are for girls while 20 percent will cater for boys. To ensure inclusion, 15 percent of these bursaries will be allocated to persons with disabilities (PWDs) and refugees.

According to Chabwera, the initiative focuses on economically and geographically marginalized youth aged between 15 and 25, aiming to expand access to higher education and enhance employability, including opportunities for self-employment.
FAWEMA has already issued calls for applications from eligible candidates nationwide for the bridging programmes, which will be offered at Catholic University of Malawi, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Mzuzu University, University of Livingstonia, and the University of Malawi.

“The bursary comes with comprehensive financial, academic and social support to students for the entire duration of their academic programmes,” Chabwera added.

Under the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation programme, FAWEMA has already provided bursaries to 340 students in the TEVET sector who are studying in various public technical colleges across Malawi, as well as 69 students who are enrolled in health training programmes at the Malawi College of Health Sciences.

The seven-year programme is aimed at increasing access to quality and inclusive higher education for 1,350 disadvantaged youth, particularly young women, while promoting skills development and long-term economic empowerment.

27/04/2026

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY INTO UNIVERSITY THROUGH BRIDGING PROGRAMS UNDER THE FAWE/MASTERCARD FOUNDATION BURSARY PROGRAM