Celebrating HEA Women on Women’s Day

The women of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) celebrated International Women’s Day under the theme, “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” by sharing their personal reflections on what the day means to them.

Through their own words, HEA’s female members of management and staff expressed their thoughts on the significance of this year’s theme, the Authority’s role in supporting women, and the challenges and triumphs of being a woman in today’s world. They also offered advice to young girls striving for success and shared words of encouragement for women navigating challenges.

Here’s what they had to say.

Mrs, Grace Mpiya Mjumphi

Manager – Internal Audits

Mr. Musoba: What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?

Mrs. Mjumphi: To me, Women’s Day means a time when the world must pause to recognise and appreciate the important role that a woman plays in society in ensuring stable homes, a supportive community and their contribution to national development.

Mr. Musoba: Why is this year’s theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” important to you?

Mrs. Mjumphi: The theme shows the importance of leaving no one behind, recognising the fact that women were once girls and if we have to have a future generation of remarkable women, we should start by understanding the needs of today’s young girls and their transformation into these remarkable women. Support them now, let them know their rights, empower them enough to know their rights and to say no to anything that threatens their growth.

Mr. Musoba: Does HEA support women and how?

Mrs. Mjumphi: Yes, it does. It’s seen in the ratio of 3 women to 3 men that are in senior Management.

Mr. Musoba: If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Mrs. Mjumphi: True exposure is in reading books. Read, read, and read to acquire the power to say no to getting easily deceived.

Mr. Musoba: What is your message to young girls striving for success?

Mrs. Mjumphi: Repetition is the mother of success! Never give up, keep working hard and it will all come to you.

Mr. Musoba: What words of encouragement do you have for women navigating challenges today?

Mrs. Mjumphi: Whatever you are working at, do it with passion, with your whole heart and strength and be loyal to your values – your values define you.

Ms. Natasha Mwela

Acting Board Secretary, and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Mr. Musoba: What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?

Ms. Mwela: This day is significant for me because we need to appreciate the various sacrifices women have had to make in order to have the respect we take for granted today.

Mr. Musoba: Why is this year’s theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” important to you?

Ms. Mwela: Many are the times a woman will have a dream and put it on hold. But this year’s theme recognises that although we may have the rights equality and empowerment play a key role in uplifting our girls and women.

Mr. Musoba: Does HEA support women and how?

Ms. Mwela: HEA does not discriminate and limit women in any career field. It offers merit- driven opportunity to all regardless of gender.

Mr. Musoba: If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Ms. Mwela: Mistakes are not failure they are simply stepping stones to success. Don’t be hard on yourself for failing.

Mr. Musoba: What is your message to young girls striving for success?

Ms. Mwela: There is no shortcut to success! Put in the work and it will surely pay off.

Mr. Musoba: What words of encouragement do you have for women navigating challenges today?

Ms. Mwela: Challenges are meant to build us. Step back, breathe and keep trying. Lastly, there is strength in numbers. Surround yourself with people who are honest with you and challenges seem effortless.

Miss. Inonge Wamunyima 

Inspector – Institutional Audits

Mr. Musoba: What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?

Miss Wamunyima: Personally, women’s day represents the virtues I hold and present to people around me. Basically, this day gives me the “CONFIDENCE” to just be a woman – to nature, care and love.

Mr. Musoba: Why is this year’s theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” important to you?

Miss Wamunyima: ⁠It’s important because it shows inclusivity, no one gets left behind and more importantly it’s encouraging women to pursue goals that were once seemingly farfetched by virtue of being a woman.

Mr. Musoba: Does HEA support women and how?

Miss Wamunyima: ⁠I may agree and simply say it does, looking at how the majority of the workforce is women. However, there’s more room to empower the women of HEA.

Mr. Musoba: If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Miss Wamunyima: Facing challenges and remaining resilient amidst those challenges is in us. Eventually, we overcome those challenges without a doubt, without compromise! Women are already “STRONG”.

Mr. Musoba: What is your message to young girls striving for success?

Miss Wamunyima: We find what we need as we grow, there’s no rush.

Mr. Musoba: What words of encouragement do you have for women navigating challenges today?

Miss Wamunyima: Approach your career with rigor and competitiveness while having a sense of dissatisfaction and with that brings a feeling of having not arrived hence you will always strive for more.

Ms. Estella Nachilima

Seasonal Employee – Institutional Audits

Mr. Musoba: What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?

Ms. Nachilima: It means a recognition of women around the globe, and their significant role in society.

Mr. Musoba: Why is this year’s theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” important to you?

Ms. Nachilima: Every female can fit in male dominated spaces.

Mr. Musoba: Does HEA support women and how?

Ms. Nachilima: Yes, HEA supports women through giving equal opportunities to both males and females.

Mr. Musoba: If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Ms. Nachilima: Be a little kind to yourself and don’t fear to explore higher heights.

Mr. Musoba: What is your message to young girls striving for success?

Ms. Nachilima: Keep fighting, the battle is not over until it actually is!

Mr. Musoba: What words of encouragement do you have for women navigating challenges today?

Ms. Nachilima: The only constant thing in life is change, and it comes with challenges sometimes, so never give up because tomorrow may be your lucky day!

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.