2020
Mwinono (Deborah) Chumbu
- Age: 21
- | She/her/hers
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As young girls and future leaders, we need to make conscious decisions, plans, and take serious action to provide all needed resources to help each other amplify as much as possible because we are our own solutions to the problems we face and fight against. Let's work endlessly.
- Mwinono (Deborah) Chumbu
Bio
Mwinono (Deborah) Chumbu was born and raised in Malawi. She is currently attending Joyce Banda Foundation Secondary School. As Teen Advisor and Club President at Girl Up, Deborah leads and helps provide opportunities to her fellow young changemakers in the movement, ensuring that girls are trained in leadership in order to take action for change. She also serves as an advocate for the campaign, ensuring that girls in her community are safe, educated, and healthy. As Founder of Afroactivists, Deborah appoints leaders in each region and makes sure the organization’s aims are met.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
Growing up, I was always passionate learning and solving issues that had negative impacts especially in my community. Poor education for girls, gender inequality, and health are major issues that especially affecting young girls and resulting in underdevelopment. As a changemaker, I strive to take any necessary action in order to help change these issues for the good to elevate young girls.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
My biggest achievement was joining Girl Up and being selected as a Teen Advisor. I automatically became a role model to other young girls, so that was the first step in change. I got more engaged in activities with other local organizations. We partnered up with Raise A Child Malawi and donated reusable pads to girls at the Steka Home Keeping of Girls. Before this, we had identified problems of period poverty that the girls considered as a big challenge. They would miss school because they had no health materials. The donated pads made it easier to the girls to attend school, and were also a cheaper and more sustainable option.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
I love traveling and exploring new cultures and places. I enjoy reading novels, playing hockey, and netball. I very much enjoy shopping, and I am a food lover.
Languages Spoken:
- English (Intermediate)
- Isizulu (Intermediate)
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