LAST week on Saturday, the Forum for African Women Educationalists Zimbabwe (FAWEZI) partnered the government of Zimbabwe, development partners, refugee communities and other stakeholders in commemorating World Refugee Day 2026 under the theme Solidarity with refugees.
The commemorations were hosted at Tongogara Refugee Settlement in Chipinge.
FAWEZI is the Zimbabwe chapter of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), a pan-African non-governmental organisation operating in 33 countries across Africa to promote gender-responsive education policies, practices and attitudes.
FAWEZI works with government, educational institutions, communities and development partners to advance equitable access to quality education, skills development and leadership opportunities for girls and young women, while promoting inclusive pathways for marginalised groups.
World Refugee Day serves as a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility to support refugees and asylum seekers, uphold their dignity and rights, and create opportunities that enable them to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to society.
FAWEZI stands in solidarity with refugees in Zimbabwe and reaffirms its commitment to advancing equitable access to quality education as a pathway to empowerment, self-reliance and sustainable development.
The Second Chance Pathways for Increased Access to Tertiary Education for Marginalised Young Women and Men Programme is implemented by FAWE in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
It seeks to expand access to tertiary education, STEM and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) opportunities for marginalised young women and men across 10 countries in Africa (including Zimbabwe), equipping them with the skills, knowledge and support needed to transition successfully to employment, entrepreneurship and leadership.
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Through this programme that is being implemented across 10 African countries with support from the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) and the Mastercard Foundation, FAWEZI is contributing towards expanding access to tertiary education opportunities for marginalised young women and men, including refugees.
As part of the programme, FAWEZI is supporting 192 students in Zimbabwe (152 female and 40 male) to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes across five polytechnics and one Technical Teachers’ College.
This includes 13 refugee young women and men, 10 of whom are from Tongogara Refugee Settlement, who have accessed TVET opportunities through the programme’s bursary support component.
The component provides a bridge for young women and men aged 15 to 25 who may have faced barriers to access tertiary education pathways, enabling them to acquire skills, qualifications and opportunities.
This year’s commemorations were attended by Teresa Omondi-Adeitan, the deputy executive director and head of programmes at FAWE Africa, who reaffirmed the continental organisation’s commitment to ensuring that marginalised young people, including refugees, can access and complete quality tertiary education.
Her participation reflects FAWE’s continental commitment to ensuring that displaced and marginalised young people across Africa are not excluded from tertiary education opportunities.
“Across Africa, many talented young women and men continue to face barriers to education due to circumstances beyond their control,” she said.
“Refugee status should never determine a person’s ability to learn, acquire skills or contribute to society.
“Through our partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, FAWE is helping to create pathways that enable marginalised young women and men, including refugees, to access tertiary education, realise their potential and become active contributors to their communities and national development.”
FAWEZI executive director Lydia Madyirapanze emphasised the transformative power of education in restoring hope and creating opportunities for displaced populations.
“World Refugee Day reminds us that behind every refugee statistic is a human story of resilience, courage and aspiration,” she said.
“At FAWEZI, we believe that education is one of the most powerful tools for restoring dignity and unlocking potential.
“Through the Second Chance Pathways Programme, we are proud to support refugee young women and men to access tertiary education and pursue careers in STEM fields that will empower them to shape their own futures and contribute positively to their communities.”
She told NewsDay Life & Style that inclusive education systems are critical to ensuring that no young person is left behind, regardless of their background or circumstances.
“As we commemorate World Refugee Day, we call upon governments, institutions, development partners and communities to continue investing in inclusive and equitable educational opportunities for refugees.
“Solidarity with refugees must go beyond words and translate to concrete action that expand access to learning, skills development and decent livelihoods.”
According to officials, FAWEZI’s participation in the national World Refugee Day commemorations reflect the organisation’s broader commitment to promoting inclusive, equitable and quality education.
Through the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme and other strategic partnerships with government ministries, tertiary institutions, development partners and communities, FAWEZI continues to champion education as a catalyst for social transformation, economic empowerment and sustainable development, ensuring marginalised young women and men, including refugees and persons with disabilities, are not left behind.
By supporting refugee youth to pursue STEM and technical training, FAWEZI is not only expanding access to education, but also contributing to the development of a skilled workforce capable of supporting Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development and the long-term self-reliance of refugee communities.
Officials also called upon stakeholders to strengthen their support for refugees and ensure that every young person, regardless of their circumstances, has access to opportunities that enable them to learn, thrive and realise their full potential.
