International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 centres on the call for ‘equal rights and equal justice’ for women and girls. In Malawi, a 20-year-old, Patience, is already answering that call. A biomedical engineering student at a public university, Patience studies and works in a campus laboratory and, in her free time, she is a rising advocate. Her journey from a rural community to a science camp participant and one-day ‘President’ reflects the IWD theme, ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For all women and girls.’
Patience’s leadership traces back to youth programmes supported by Plan International Malawi. Together with other girls from her community, she participated in youth programmes at Timveni Radio and Television. Supported by Plan International, Timveni used radio and television as a platform for Malawi’s girls and young people to amplify their voices.
Patience recalls sitting behind the microphone. “I learned that my voice mattered,” she says. Those broadcasts on Timveni sparked her confidence.
Later, when Plan Malawi invited her to a week-long girls’ science boot camp at MUST university, her ambitions took shape. Inspired by engineering students who told the campers, that they can be anything that they want to be, Patience returned home determined to be an engineer. She says, “That camp showed me I could break out of the box society often puts us in.”
Back in her community, Patience worked hard in her studies and got selected to one of the best girls’ secondary schools in Malawi.
“That (science) camp showed me I could break out of the box society often puts us in.”
Patience
Taking over the office of the President
Patience’s activism soon took an extraordinary turn in October 2023 when she participated in Plan’s Girls’ Takeover initiative. She literally sat in the president’s chair, taking over the Office of the President from President Lazarus Chakwera.
“It was surreal,” Patience looks back, “As I sat at the desk of the President of Malawi, I felt like I was holding the hopes of every girl back home.”
This symbolic takeover was no mere stunt as Patience says: “That day I realised our voices can echo even at the top. It proved that nothing is impossible when girls have the chance.”
Investing in girls works
Plan Malawi’s Country Director Mwape Mulumbi sees Patience as proof that investing in girls creates ripple effects across society. “Patience’s journey is a testament to the power of rights-based mentorship,” Mulumbi says. “When you give a girl education and support, you’re not just helping one person, you’re building future leaders who will drive social progress.” She notes that Patience, and students like her, are on the frontlines of the global movement for gender justice. “Every girl who challenges a barrier, every girl who leads, helps transform communities,” Mulumbi explains.
“When you give a girl education and support, you’re not just helping one person, you’re building future leaders who will drive social progress.”
Mwape Mulumbi, Plan Malawi Country Director
Now that Patience is on her tertiary education journey, she frames her story in the larger fight for equality. “I’m one of millions demanding rights and justice,” she says. “International Women’s Day reminds us that our dreams are not just personal, but part of a global movement.” Her message is clear: with sustained support and equal opportunities, Malawian girls can grow into leaders who carry gender justice forward.
“International Women’s Day reminds us that our dreams are not just personal, but part of a global movement.”
Patience
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