Dr. Mutinta Mabbolobbolo Champions Gender Equality And Leadership At Gwi 35th Triennial Assembly

Lusaka, Zambia – September 13, 2025

Dr. Mutinta Mabbolobbolo, Director of Research and Dean of the School of Education at the Information and Communications University (ICU), delivered a compelling keynote during the 35th Graduate Women International (GWI) Triennial General Assembly and Conference, held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.

Speaking under the conference theme “Breaking Barriers: Education for Sustainable and Inclusive Development,” Dr. Mabbolobbolo called for deliberate policies, mentorship programs, and institutional reforms to close gender gaps in education, leadership, and governance.

“When you educate a girl, you educate a family. But we must go further — we must create leadership opportunities for women in universities, research departments, and policy-making spaces,” she stated. “Women are the movers and shakers of development, and we must stand together to uplift one another.”

Dr. Mabbolobbolo is a seasoned educationist, researcher, and policymaker whose career reflects her message of perseverance and leadership. She began as a teacher at Kablonga Boys Secondary School (formerly Gilbert Lane) before being promoted to Deputy Head at Njase Girls Secondary School.

Her leadership and commitment to education earned her an appointment as Commissioner at the Teaching Service Commission, where she contributed to teacher policy and governance at the national level. Today, she leads research and innovation at ICU and serves as Dean of the School of Education, spearheading initiatives to promote ICT-driven learning, teacher capacity-building, and gender inclusion in academia.

Her work extends beyond academia to mentoring young researchers, empowering female educators, and advocating for equitable representation of women in decision-making spaces.

The conference marked a watershed moment for Zambia, as three distinguished Zambian academics were elected to GWI’s international standing committees for the first time in over 100 years:

• Dr. Annie Musonda-Mubanga – Convener, Education Committee

• Dr. Eunice Imasiku – International Projects Development Committee

• Dr. Margaret Mwale-Mkandawire – Membership Committee

This achievement was secured despite Zambia having just one voting delegate out of 89 — competing against larger delegations from countries such as Canada (8 votes), Türkiye (5), Great Britain (4), India (4), Japan (4), and the United States (4).

“The success of our candidates against such overwhelming odds is a powerful testament to the respect and recognition Zambian women have earned on the global academic stage,” one delegate noted.

The three-day assembly concluded with a renewed commitment to:

• Strengthen mentorship pipelines for women in academia and leadership.

• Advocate for inclusive education policies and improved research funding.

• Support cross-country collaboration to monitor gender representation.

Cultural exchange activities, including the Welcome Gala Dinner at Mpoto Yatu, showcased Zambia’s hospitality and commitment to global cooperation.

About Graduate Women International (GWI)

Founded in 1919, GWI is the oldest global network of women graduates, holding UN consultative status since 1947. Its triennial assemblies serve as a platform to evaluate progress on women’s education, advance global gender equality, and influence policy worldwide.