FAWE Contributes to Mastercard Foundation Panel on Agile Programme Delivery
The Forum for African Women Educationalists took center stage in a high-level panel hosted by the Mastercard Foundation under the theme:
“Deepening and Scaling Impact: Strengthening Delivery through Agile Ways of Working.”
Representing FAWE, Dr. Martha Muhwezi, Executive Director, accompanied by Naomie Kamitha, Programme Officer, contributed to a rich and forward-looking dialogue on how organizations can scale their interventions responsibly while maintaining quality, relevance, and long-term impact.
The session provided a platform to explore how agile ways of working—anchored in flexibility, continuous learning, and responsiveness—are transforming programme delivery across Africa. Discussions emphasized that scaling impact is not merely about expansion, but about ensuring that growth is intentional, context-driven, and sustainable.
Drawing from FAWE’s experience, Dr. Martha Muhwezi reflected on the organization’s journey in scaling the Bridging Programme across multiple African countries. She highlighted how adaptive programme design, rapid feedback loops, and strong country-level ownership have been instrumental in ensuring that expansion does not compromise programme quality or outcomes.
At the heart of FAWE’s scaling approach lies a suite of tested and transformative models that are reshaping education systems and empowering girls to succeed:
✨ Centres of Excellence (CoE): Creating gender-responsive school environments where girls can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
🗣 TUSEME (“Let Us Speak Out”): Empowering girls to voice their concerns, challenge social barriers, and take on leadership roles within their schools and communities.
📚 Gender-Responsive Pedagogy (GRP): Equipping teachers with practical tools to foster inclusive, participatory, and supportive classrooms for all learners.
🔬 STEM Initiatives: Encouraging girls’ participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and preparing them for future opportunities in a rapidly evolving world of work.
🎓 Extended Orientation Programme (EOP): Supporting students’ successful transition into tertiary education and strengthening pathways toward meaningful careers.
These models are continuously refined through robust evidence generated at the field level, enabling FAWE to adapt quickly to emerging challenges, enhance programme effectiveness, and sustain impact across diverse country contexts.
A key highlight of the discussion was the emphasis on partnership as a driver of sustainable scale. Dr. Martha underscored the importance of co-creation with the Mastercard Foundation—an approach that fosters shared learning, joint ownership, and alignment of goals.
This collaborative model not only strengthens programme design and implementation but also ensures that solutions remain relevant, locally grounded, and scalable.
The panel reaffirmed a critical message: when African-led solutions are combined with strong partnerships, data-driven learning, and agile approaches, transformative and lasting change becomes achievable.
As FAWE continues to expand its reach across the continent, its commitment remains clear—leveraging innovation, evidence, and collaboration to ensure that every African girl has the opportunity to learn, lead, and succeed.