Grace Mwale

A Malawian social entrepreneur who founded a school to combat child marriage and promote girls' education in rural Africa

Grace Mwale is a visionary social entrepreneur from Malawi whose work has profoundly impacted girls' education and women's empowerment in rural Africa. Born in 1985 in a small village near Lilongwe, Mwale grew up witnessing the devastating effects of child marriage and gender inequality. After completing her education in South Africa, she returned home in 2008 to establish the Girls' Agricultural and Leadership Development Initiative (GALDI), a groundbreaking school and training center that combines academic education with agricultural skills.

What makes Mwale's work unique is her holistic approach: GALDI not only provides education but also teaches girls sustainable farming techniques through its 10-acre farm. This dual focus addresses both educational and economic barriers, enabling graduates to become self-sufficient entrepreneurs. By 2020, the school had educated over 500 girls and trained 1,200 women in agricultural practices, with 80% of graduates starting their own businesses.

Mwale's impact extends beyond education. She has successfully lobbied local governments to enforce anti-child marriage laws, leading to a 40% reduction in early marriages in her region. Her work has been recognized by organizations like the UN Women and the Nation Media Group, which awarded her the 2015 African Woman of the Year Award. A documentary film crew from the BBC followed her work in 2018, capturing the transformative stories of GALDI students who now run profitable farms and businesses.

In 2019, Mwale launched the Grace Mwale Foundation, expanding her mission to include clean water initiatives and healthcare programs. Her innovative model has inspired similar projects in Zambia and Mozambique, proving that education and agricultural empowerment can break cycles of poverty and gender inequality. Mwale's story is a testament to the power of grassroots leadership in creating systemic change.