Women for Change (WFC) is a Zambian gender focused NGO working with communities, especially women and children, in rural areas to contribute towards sustainable human development using popular education methodologies.
The organisation was born out of an NGO known as Canadian University Services Overseas (CUSO) and was known as CUSO's Women's Development Programme (WDP), until 1992 when it was transformed into an indigenous NGO known as Women For Change.
The organisation's principle objective is to contribute to the creation of sustainable economic and social systems which are controlled by rural communities and which respond to their needs. The organisation is thus committed to the creation of a critical mass aware of their human rights and obligations as citizens.
Recognising the importance of good governance, respect for human rights and democracy as necessary conditions for human development, WFC has strong advocacy and human rights education components in its programmes and activities.
Its existence as a Zambian NGO is based on the principle of non-partisan collaboration with civic, political and other organisations on matters concerning the development of rural communities. The secretariat is based in Lusaka, Zambia.
Women for Change works with:
Rural Groups
Women for Change works with rural groups in Western, Southern and Central Provinces of Zambia. Members of the rural groups are active participants and beneficiareis of Women for Change programmes. There are momre than 262,450 members drawn from the three provinces in which Women for Change is working. Women for Change has expanded its work to Lundazi and Petauke districts of Eastern Province.
Traditional Leaders
Women for Change also works with traditional eaers. The traditional leaers programme is implemented at three levels: district, national and within the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region. The traditional leaders are trained and involved in Gender Analysis and Awareness Raising, Human Rights, Children's Rights and HIV/AIDS programmes.
Vision, Mission and Objectives
Vision
A society where there is gender equality in social, political and economic development.
Mission
Women for Change is a Zambian gender focused non-governmental organisation working with communities, especially women and children, in rural areas to contribute towards sustainable human development using Popular Education Methodologies PEM).
Strategic Goals
Increased participation of women and youths in leadership and decision making at household, community and national levels.
Improved sustainable livelihoods for communities in Women for Change operational areas, especially women and children.
Increased access to basic rights in Women for Change operational areas.
Improved financial, administration and human resource management for effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of WfC programmes.
Organisation Values
In line with the mission of working with and empowering rural communities especially women to contribute to the eradication of all forms of poverty and also its vision of contributing to the creation of sustainable economic and social systems which are controlled by rural communities and which respond to their needs. Women for Change uphold the following values.
Gender sensitivity
Team Spirit
Rural Focus
Participatory
Self-Reliance
Transparency and Accountability
Justice and Human Dignity
Non-partisan
Non-membership
Structure
Women for Change's organisation structure consists of four major components:
1. Board of Trustees
The main function of the Board of Trustees is that of custodian of Women for Change property. It consists of two independent members chosen from civil society and the third trustee being the Chairperson of the Board of Directors.
WFC's current trustees are:
Ms. Ethel Jiri
Dr. Mable Milimo
Mr. Sakwiba Sikota
2. Board of Directors
This is the main body which oversees Women for Change programmes. Members of the Board of Directors constitute the executive committee. There are ten members of the Board. These are selected by virtue of their expertise and experience which is considered relevant to the needs of Women For Change. The Chairperson is elected by the ten members of the board. Women for Change staff and groups are represented on the board by the Executive Director of Women for Change.The Board has the following positions:
Chairperson
Dr. Judith Lungu
Vice Chairperson
Mr. Parkie Mbozi
Board Legal Advisor
Mr Abraham Mwansa
Board Treasurer
Mrs. Patrica Kumwenda
Board Member
Ms. Nelly Nyirenda
Board Member
Mrs. Wendy Mwanza
Board member
Dr. Magaret Maimbolwa
3. Staff/Management Team
Women for Change staff constitute the chief organ for the implementation of policies and plans of the organisation. The staffs consist of the following;
• The Executive Director
• Programmes Staff
• Administration and Finance Staff
Women for Change exercises a participatory system of management whereby staff discuss and make decisions together.
4. Women for Change Rural Groups
This is the most important component in the Women for Change structure. It justifies the existence of the organisation. The groups participate in decision making processes. They assess their own needs, identify projects, plan, implement and monitor them.
Consultancy and Training
For organisational sustainability, Women for Change offers consultancy and training in a variety of subjects at a fee. Some areas of training and consultancy include Gender Analysis and Awareness-Raising, Human Rights, Popular Educational Methodologies (PEM), Advocacy and Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation. Some of the organisations which WFC has provided such consultancy include OXFAM-Zambia, UNICEF-Zambia, GTZ, PCF- Ethiopia Heifer Project, FAO, MS- Zambia along with many others.
Why PEM?
Women For Change uses Popular Education Methodologies(PEM) in its training programmes. PEM focuses on empowerment - the freedom to discuss, share and ultimately to gain control over ones life. The main focus is the empowerment of Zambian rural communities especially the marginalised women.
PEM starts from where people are and challenges each individual to analyse what is happening to them to strategise for change and to reflect as how this will personally affect them.
Geographical Location
4 provinces: Southern, Western, Central and Eastern
An Area Association is formed by 10 to 15 groups in each operational area.
A group is formed by 35 to 40 members in each group. Two members are drawn from each group to form the Area Association.
A District Development Association is formed by 10 Area Associations
Women for Change also works with traditional leaders in all the provinces of Zambia.
Women for Change Field Animators are implementing Women for Change programmes in the rural operational areas. They facilitate the organisation and formation of groups, and they implement the training programmes.
Field Animators stay in the rural communities with the group members for three out of four weeks in a month so that they build strong relationships with their communities. They listen to the communities, understand their problems and assist them to find solutions.
Field Animators have extensive experience in working with local communities and also speak the local language of their operational areas.
Contact Details
The Executive Director
Women For Change(WFC)
Plot 1801 Nchenja Road
Northmead
P.O. Box 33102
Lusaka, Zambia
