The work of CAMA to scale up programmes delivering female education and empowerment is beginning to result in seismic shifts in the social, economic and political role of women in their rural communities — in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. Those once among the most excluded are now leading the charge to change the power dynamics that can leave girls behind.
1 million girls on the road to independence
As a result, Camfed is delivering on its commitment to support 1 million girls through secondary school within just 5 years, by 2020. At the end of 2017, it was nearly ¾ of the way there, thanks to alumnae and their communities stepping up to more than triple the support provided through donor funds - a testimony to the sustainability of Camfed’s multi-dimensional, community-led approach:
“It is because Camfed brings those once at the margins into positions of authority that we can do what we do today, changing the balance of power, ensuring girls go to school and succeed, and that women lead - with respect from men, in partnership with men.” — Lydia Wilbard, National Director and founder of CAMA in Tanzania
CAMA’s membership grew to almost 120,000 young leaders in 2017. CAMA members ignite a “virtuous cycle” by working in their communities as entrepreneurs and employers, role models and mentors, using their own resources to support the next generation to go to school.
In 2017 Camfed further restructured its leadership to bring CAMA to the forefront, with two founding members of the network stepping up as Camfed Executive Director–Africa and CAMA Director of Development. CAMA’s significance was also recognised by The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, which selected the association as one of the first five youth-led organisations it supports.
CAMA’s key achievements in 2017 alone:
- Supported 526,616 students to go to primary and secondary school
- Together with communities raised more than $9 million in additional resources to support marginalised children
- Scaled Camfed’s Learner Guide Programmes and the Transition Guide Programme, providing support for girls to succeed in school and on the road to independence after school
This contribution represents a unique multiplier effect and match funding model for donors and sets an international standard for what can be achieved, at pace and at scale, when we get right the ‘how’ of girls’ education.
#TimesUp for Inequality and Exclusion
In tandem with the #TimesUp movement that has swept the Western world, CAMA’s young women are creating a new dialogue around female leadership and empowerment on the African continent. In the context in which they live and work - where extreme poverty leaves girls open to exploitation, disease and violence as they try and secure their right to education - this call for gender equality takes on a life-saving urgency. CAMA and Camfed are partnering with government officials, traditional leaders, teachers and parents to combat issues like child marriage and gender-based violence. Together we are showing that girls’ education and women’s leadership are key to tackling global poverty and inequality, contributing to all the Sustainable Development Goals.
“I think what distinguishes women’s leadership is that women are leaders in everyday life. We manage the home, we manage our children, we take on so many responsibilities and we do it well. So in leadership positions, we are naturals. CAMA gives young women the opportunity to come up and solve issues in the community that even our leaders and politicians aren’t able to.” -- Sandra, Learner Guide & CAMA Ghana National Secretary in 2017
When girls graduate from school into the CAMA network they join a life-changing and history-making movement. For Camfed, this growth and flourishing of CAMA is the most exciting and important result of almost 25 years of work.
To read the Camfed 2017 Annual Review click here
To watch the Camfed 2017 Annual Review video click here