Chimwemwe Banda’s Profile

Chimwemwe is a change agent who firmly believes it is the responsibility of every citizen to serve their country and make impact. Through her youth organization, Citizen Impact Organization, she is championing several socio-economic programmes targeting the youth, women, and girls. Her remarkable accomplishments include mobilizing the community and resources for the construction of a classroom block at Kaswiti Primary School, facilitating establishment of four women cooperatives in bee-keeping, establishing vocational tailoring school, empowering over 600 girls with Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) related information and life-skills, and distributing re-usable sanitary pads to girls in primary and secondary schools.

As a result of her efforts to improve the lives of young people, women, and people with disabilities, she was named a 2023 Young Achievers Award winner in the category of Young Woman with Distinction. She also won a 2021 Youth Action Lab grant for her project on eradicating stigma and discrimination against women and young people living with HIV and AIDS.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Cultural Studies from the Mzuzu University. Has also participated in several leadership development programmes such Youth Exchange South to South programme by World Girls Guide Association, National Democratic Institute (NDI) Next Generation CSO Leaders Academy, and PEPETA Women Advocacy Programme. Currently, she is also serving as a member of the Civil Society Social Protection Committee, National Disability Rights Forum, Mzimba District Technical Working Group, and Young Scholars Initiative Ambassador for academic advocacy in Africa.