In Zambia there are very few women who aspire for and take up leadership positions. This is due to a number of reasons, some of which are: – Poverty, culture, lack of education, ignorance of their Rights, gender based violence and lack of self confidence just to name a few.

Preparing a woman to take part in decision making and be appointed in leadership positions does not start when a person becomes an adult. One is prepared from childhood so that they grow up into responsible adult women who can make well informed decisions. Education is a Human Right which when not taken seriously can affect a number of developmental issues including the way one engages in leadership positions which demands that they make decisions even on behalf of others

Response Network in an effort to address this issue, has been preparing the girl child by supporting girls’ education through sponsoring them to enable them to go to school, especially those from vulnerable and viable families. Due to poverty levels some families do not afford to send their children to School and this is even worse where the girl child is concerned.

The School going mother

Mercy Kamayoyo is one of the girls who are on the sponsorship program. She came on board when she was in grade 10. She fell pregnant along the way in grade 11, however this did not discourage the determined girl who went back to school after delivery and now she is in grade 12.

Mercy stays with her single mum and her siblings. School fees were not easy to come up with especially after the parent divorced. She is a proud school going mother who wants a bright future for her daughter. She wants to become a Medical Nurse when she completes her education.