Message from the Director-General of the Higher Education Authority, Professor Kazhila C. Chinsembu, on the Occasion of International Women’s Day 2025
Greetings!
I am a man, a father, a CEO, and the Director-General of the Higher Education Authority (HEA). Today, as we celebrate International Women’s Day under the theme, “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” I am reminded of the profound responsibility we bear—not just as leaders in higher education, but as men, as fathers, and as citizens of a nation that thrives only when its women and girls thrive.
For over three decades, I have walked the halls of academia, from the lecture rooms of the University of Zambia (UNZA) to the corridors of the University of Namibia (UNAM). I have seen the transformative power of education, not just for individuals, but for societies. And yet, I have also seen the barriers—some visible, some invisible—that have kept women and girls from fully realising their potential. Today, I stand before you not just as a leader in higher education, but as a man who has witnessed the struggles and triumphs of women in my life—my mother, my wife, my daughters, my colleagues, and my students. Their stories are not just personal; they are a reflection of the broader narrative of women in our society.
Our theme today is a call to action. It is a reminder that rights, equality, and empowerment are not just abstract ideals; they are the very foundation upon which we must build a brighter future for our nation. And higher education, as I have always believed, is the starting point for this transformation.
As the Director-General of the Higher Education Authority, I am acutely aware of the role we must play in ensuring that our institutions become spaces where women and girls are not just present, but where they are empowered to lead, to innovate, and to transform. We must move beyond the rhetoric of gender equality and take concrete steps to dismantle the systemic barriers that have held women back for far too long.
Our universities and colleges must become the vanguard of this change. We must reimagine our curricula, our policies, and our practices to ensure that they are inclusive, equitable, and empowering. We must create environments where women and girls feel safe, supported, and inspired to pursue their dreams. This is not just a moral imperative; it is an economic necessity. A nation that fails to harness the full potential of half of its population is a nation that is destined to fall behind.
As a CEO, I understand the importance of leadership in driving change. The Higher Education Authority is committed to leading by example. We are working to ensure that our policies and programs are gender-responsive, that our funding models support initiatives that empower women and girls, and that our institutions are held accountable for promoting gender equality. We are also working to increase the representation of women in leadership positions within our universities and colleges. Because we know that when women lead, everyone benefits.
As a man, I recognise the role that men must play in this journey. We must be allies, advocates, and champions for the rights of women and girls. We must challenge the stereotypes and cultural norms that perpetuate inequality. We must teach our sons to respect and value women, not as subordinates, but as equals. And we must lead by example, in our homes, in our workplaces, and in our communities.
As a father, I am deeply invested in the future of the daughters of our nation. I want them to grow up in a world where their gender does not determine their opportunities, where their dreams are not limited by societal expectations, and where their voices are heard and valued. I want them to know that they can be anything they aspire to be—scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, leaders. And I want them to know that their education is the key to unlocking their potential.
Furthermore, this dream I have for every girl in Zambia is for the young woman who dreams of becoming a doctor, for the mother who wants to go back to school, for the girl in a rural village who aspires to be a teacher. We owe it to them to create a higher education system that is inclusive, equitable, and empowering.
Today, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us recommit ourselves to this vision. Let us work together to ensure that every woman and girl in Zambia has the opportunity to access quality education, to pursue her dreams, and to contribute to the development of our nation. Let us build a future where rights, equality, and empowerment are not just ideals, but realities.
📲 Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VasVJip7oQhXnhbaOB2I
📲 Follow the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube (@HEAZambia) and join the conversation using #HEAZambia #HigherEducationZambia. 🌐 Visit www.hea.org.zm for all higher education updates in Zambia.
