Edith Kudzai Chigumbu is a 21-year-old student in her second year of studying Public Relations and Marketing at the University of Zimbabwe. She has interests in community development, climate action and transformative leadership within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“I have always excelled as a public speaker, thoroughly enjoying engaging in intellectual discussions and effectively presenting issues affecting girls and young women to diverse audiences. The opportunity of attending the Leadership Economic Mentorship Hubs (LEMHs) 2024 bootcamp has harnessed my advocacy skills and inspires me to take up space in marginalized communities, advocating for young women to take up leadership opportunities and get empowered. I want to become an agent of the change they want to see while challenging patriarchal norms that promote female subordination.”
My aim is to empower young women and girls to take the lead in addressing community challenges and the issues that directly affect them, becoming change-makers in their communities. In addition to my leadership aspirations, during the bootcamp I was highly motivated by the Resident Facilitator Ms Nokhuthula Gavaza to dream big enough to become a global advocate and expert in the area of leadership and climate action.
The LEMHs programme has inspired me to be the voice for the voiceless and to do everything with the VOICE, POWER and AGENCY that TaLI has given me, to ensure that young women and girls take a lead in all areas of their lives.