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GIRL EMPOWERMENT

Quick Facts

Livingstone, Zambia

Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport

Every Monday

10 days - 12 weeks

Impact: Gender Equality

from $1,495 – $4,695
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GIRL EMPOWERMENT

Join the African Impact team in the traditional African town of Livingstone, as you work towards the UN’s Global Goal of Gender Equality. Through African Impact’s initiative, The Girl Impact, you’ll support, educate and encourage adolescent girls as they become empowered young women in their community. Bring local boys and men to the forefront of the conservation as you encourage the gender equality movement and overcome male/female stereotypes. 

Read more about African Impact’s initiative, The Girl Impact.

Project Highlights

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Make a positive impact in the lives of adolescent girls – giving them skills, support and inspiration
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Support open discussion and help change attitudes surrounding the ‘conventional’ role of men and women
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Work with the local boys as we introduce, educate and raise awareness on gender equality
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Be part of a program that sees direct measurable results and work daily towards the UN’s Global Goal of Gender Equality
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Encourage business skills and income generation ventures at our women’s group
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Immerse yourself in local Zambian culture
Volunteer Travel
Visit the majestic Victoria Falls – also known as “the smoke that thunders” – and enjoy some of the amazing tourist activities that Livingstone has to offer

The Destination

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Livingstone is a beautiful, rural town in southern Zambia just a stone’s throw away from the mighty Zambezi river and the border of Zimbabwe. It is a hub for visitors looking to experience one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – Victoria Falls, locally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘the Smoke that Thunders’. Livingstone is the ultimate playground for adventure-seekers, wildlife enthusiasts, and lovers of the great outdoors. Whether you’d like to bungee jump, swim in the ‘Devil’s Pool’, white water raft down the Zambezi, join a river safari or enjoy an African sunset, every experience in Livingstone is unique. The town itself is relaxed and friendly with an intriguing culture and history. Here, you’ll find arts and craft producers, museums, colonial architecture, traditional village life, as well as delicious local food and laidback African lifestyle.

You’ll be staying in the heart of Livingstone at a private volunteer house within the popular and vibrant Victoria Falls Backpackers Zambia. This comfortable backpackers’ is 15 minutes from Victoria Falls and is a 5 minute walk from Livingstone’s town centre which has many stores and a great selection of cafes and restaurants for you to explore at weekends. You will have access to a swimming pool, lounge, bar, fire pit area and even a climbing wall! These communal areas offer the perfect space to get to know each other and relax at the end of the day. Bedrooms are dormitory style with bunk beds and shared bathroom facilities, as well as daily housekeeping. The staff can share knowledge about the area and are happy to help organize river cruises, canoe safaris, and trips to Chobe National Park. You won’t want to leave your “new home” as the staff will become your new family!
You will receive three fresh and delicious meals a day cooked by local chefs during the week. For breakfast you can expect cereal and toast, along with a cooked option such as eggs, pancakes or French toast. Lunch could be a wrap, pizza or sandwich paired with a fresh crispy salad. For dinner you might have a pasta dish, curry with rice or an authentic stew. Vegetarian options are available and we can cater to most dietary requirements. At weekends you will have access to the kitchen to make your own food, though most volunteers choose to visit local cafes and restaurants. Café Zambezi makes great traditional Zambian food and is a favourite amongst locals, while Maramba River Lodge is a popular spot for sundowners and Fez Bar is a popular place to hang out with locals and do a little dancing in the evenings!
To keep in touch with family and friends back home, Victoria Falls Backpackers has complimentary WiFi for you to use during your stay. You can also purchase a SIM card with data bundles if you wish.
Weather in Livingstone tends to be stable and sunny from August until late October when the "monsoon" rains start to hit. Either side of this time, the weather is very pleasant. The climate is tropical or sub-tropical depending on altitude, with a hot, humid, and rainy season from mid-November to March and a dry season from April to mid-November. October is typically the hottest month of the year.

Project Impact Areas

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GIRLS GROUP

Volunteer in an intimate setting as you work with 2 separate girls’ groups and deliver educational workshops based around our six pillars of Girl Impact – education, self-confidence, health, early pregnancy, safety, and income generation. Help reduce the gender gap as you equip the girls with the tools to make educated decisions and go on to become empowered women. Also support the development of the mentorship program with our current girls as they guide future generations and create a sustainable initiative.

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WOMEN'S GROUP

Provide support group sessions and deliver workshops in a personal environment to a dedicated group of local Zambian women. These sessions may include career and goal setting workshops, health talks, and lessons on safety. Challenge the Gender role stereotype and help these strong women become empowered within their communities.

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BOYS GROUP

Bridge the gender-based gap as you educate the local Zambian boys and young men. Be an integral part of shaping society’s beliefs and attitudes towards gender and help deliver workshops on self-confidence, respect, bullying, teamwork, healthy friendships, sex education, gender-based violence, and how to treat women. Provide outlets for boys to express themselves and encourage them to stand up for the girls in their communities.

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SAFETY ADVICE

We change attitudes on the issue of violence against girls and support girls who have been affected by violence. Working with organizations that specialize in education on gender-based violence, we host workshops and activities that are aimed at boys and girls on this important topic. We also host sessions for teachers so they can learn how to handle behavior including bullying and rape.

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NUTRITION TALK AND ALL-GIRLS SPORTS CLUB

Empower girls through sport, which is still traditionally male-dominated and shift those gender stereotypes. Partner with the Tag Rugby Trust and facilitate sessions solely for girls to attend and work on developing not only sport-specific skills but also teamwork, discipline, co-operation, and personal goals. Add extra depth to these sessions with a health talk which may cover the food pyramid, the importance of staying hydrated, how to lead a healthy lifestyle, or the danger of consuming too much sugar.

Recent Reviews

“I have had the best month volunteering for African Impact on the Girl Impact project. The highlight has to be all the people I have met, people on projects, and the other volunteers. going into the schools and communities to talk about loads of interesting topics from HIV/AIDs to self-confidence means you learn a lot about Zambian culture and really get to know the pupils. I feel that the Girl Impact project is very important and is also so much fun, I had the best time at the women’s group as the ladies were so interesting and just hilarious. The projects generally are so organised, with clear timetables and transport so you don’t have to worry about anything. The house is so much fun and it is so easy to make friends with everyone so life when you’re not on project, is still exciting. Overall, I am so glad that I have volunteered here and would recommend it to anyone!”

Lorna, UK
Girl Empowerment, Zambia

“Working with women in Zambia was such a lovely experience. They were welcoming and friendly beyond anything you can ever imagine. The girls want to learn, and their English is unbelievable. The women at the women’s group are interested and want to make their lives for themselves and their families better. Being able to support their projects and their entrepreneurship was a fabulous opportunity. These projects make such a difference to the local community in supporting them to achieve more without doing it for them.”

Tamsin, UK
Girl Empowerment, Zambia

“I was doing Girl Impact in Livingstone and it was amazing! Before I came here, I knew like almost nothing about Zambia but now I have experienced so much! I definitely would come back! So many thanks to everyone from the staff and to the other volunteers, you made my time amazing!”

Lieke, Netherlands
Girl Empowerment, Zambia

Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the challenges for gender equality in Zambia?

In Zambia, there have been several laws enacted to improve gender equality like the 2011 Act against Gender Based Violence and the Gender Equity and Equality Rights Bill. While these laws have helped gender equality for women and girls improve in Zimbabwe, the dual structure of statutory law and customary law and some social and economic mores could hinder the progress that is being made. The duality of law has caused gender-based inequalities in reproductive health and economic activity leading to more severe consequences concerning the quality of life for men and women in Zambia. In 2015, Zambia was among the 30 worst countries with the highest levels of gender inequality in the world. As well, religious and traditional principles and the economic climate that greatly enables men to provide for their families has caused women to believe that they do not have equal competencies in employment or politics, or that they have to conform to stereotypes.

What is the impact of gender inequality in Zambia?

Gender inequality has a major impact for women and girls in Zambia. In 2015, Zambia was ranked 116 out of 145 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index and ranked third highest country for cases of child marriages. There are many programs and efforts that can be taken to improve gender equality in Zambia. Some of these efforts include programs focused on empowering out-of-school girls to set and achieve goals for their future and overcome social and economic barriers to constrain their ability to be successful in school. Others including providing aid, gender-based violence services, and improved referral systems. Women’s participation in political parties and electoral processes can also increase. As well, other programs and efforts can help launch activities of economic growth and create an enabling environment where women can pursue productive livelihoods, find employment, develop skills, and access various business services and resources.

What can be done to improve gender equality in Zambia?

Additional efforts can be made in promoting gender equality for girls and women in Zambia. Community programs can focus on helping change attitudes surrounding ‘conventional’ roles of men and women, raising awareness of gender inequality and women’s empowerment, and encouraging education and professional business skills.

Where is Zambia and how can I help improve gender equality?

Zambia is located in south-central Africa and takes its name from the Zambezi River. It is bordered by eight countries including Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Tanzania, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. Our programs in Zambia are located in Livingstone, a rural town near the border of Zimbabwe and the hub for one of Seven Natural Wonders of the World – the Victoria Falls. When you participate in our projects, you have the opportunity to join the United Nation’s Global Goal of Gender Equality and raise awareness on gender equality for women and girls, provide support in local communities to strengthen families, mitigate gender-based violence, support economic development, help inspire youth to learn key skills for employment, enhance education, and promote women’s empowerment.

What is the political system in Zambia?

The political system in Zambia uses the framework of a presidential representative democratic republic. The President of Zambia is the head of government, the head of state, and the leader of the multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government and legislative power is given to both parliament and the government.

Other Activities

Livingstone, Zambia is safari country. Here, you can spot a whole lot of wildlife, with elephants being particularly prevalent along the river banks. do rhino bushwalks or even take a boat safari to spot elephants off the Zambezi River. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park offers a convenient safari where you can spot elephant, zebra and more, against beautiful backdrops of the Zambezi River. The real highlight of the park is the re-introduced white rhino, which you can track on foot in a thrilling wildlife encounter! A water safari is also a fantastic way to see wildlife grazing on the river banks – expect elephants, hippos and crocodiles. Across the border in Botswana is Chobe National Park, famed for its huge elephant population (currently estimated at over 120,000!). An overnight safari to this National Park is a popular weekend activity that many past volunteers have enjoyed.
Livingstone is known as “Africa’s Adventure Capital” because there is so much to see and do. Take advantage of your proximity to the great and mighty Victoria Falls, as well as the other adventures the Zambezi has to offer. Zambezi boat cruises, white water rafting, and canoe trips are all ways in which you can encounter these great waters. You can also ride quad bike trails, swim in “Devil’s Pool” (seasonal) or view the breath-taking scenery from the air in a microlight or helicopter. For the adrenaline junkies, why not try the famous bungee jump or gorge swing?
Livingstone has a rich culture and you can embark on a walking or cycling village tour to a local African village, giving you further insight into the traditional way of life. You can also shop at some of the many markets and stock up on locally hand-made goods for your loved ones back home or find interesting local foods to try.

Apply Now

Once you have submitted your application, a Destination Specialist will be in-touch to discuss the project with you.

Clear

Project Fee Includes

  • Accommodation throughout your entire stay at the lively Victoria Falls Backpackers Zambia, in a private section shared by our volunteers, interns and staff
  • 3 delicious meals a day cooked by chefs from the local community (weekdays only)
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off by the African Impact team
  • Experienced international and local staff members who live and work alongside you every day
  • WiFi
  • A full induction, orientation and training session to ensure you can contribute sustainably
  • All necessary project equipment and resources you’ll need on the ground

Project Fee Excludes

  • Flights
  • Medical or travel insurance
  • Visa-related costs
  • Weekend trips or tours, or any other non-project activity
  • Snacks, soft drinks, gifts or souvenirs
  • Laundry
  • Mandatory contribution of US$25 that is donated to the African Impact Sustainability Fund
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