At just 23, Linda Phiri is a trailblazer and role model, inspiring young people and her community through exceptional leadership.
A passionate advocate for change, she has represented Malawi on global platforms, championing the voices and rights of her peers.
Linda’s achievements reflect not only her commitment to empowering others, but unwavering drive to create meaningful social and economic development.
She founded Girl Power for Change, a grassroots, women-led organisation dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable adolescent girls.
Through initiatives focused on education, gender equality, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), HIV and Aids awareness, economic empowerment, mental health and climate change, she motivates girls to become agents of change in their communities.
Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education (social studies) at the University of Malawi, Linda was elected vice-president of the university’s student council.
She is also the G17 coordinator, a youth-led initiative driving the realisation of Sustainable Development Goals by empowering young people into champions of global progress.
In addition, Linda represents the youth as a member of the Malawi Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism where she continues to advocate for issues that matter to young people.
Through her Girl Power for Change, she exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose and passion.
“I started the organisation when I was 18 years old, while in Form Two. It was just at a club then where students met and later established the Girl Power for Change in 2021.
“I was raped at 9 years old and when I turned 18, I discovered they were many girls with similar experiences, but they don’t voice them out,” she said.
Linda’s aim is to empower girls.
“My work involves having one on one talk with gender-based violence (GBV) survivors. Being there for adolescent girls and young women makes me happy.
“It hurts to see young girls who are supposed to be in school, but aren’t going to school and rape cases increasing,” she said.
Linda disclosed that establishing Girl Power for Change while young, it was hard for her to collaborate with big and well established organisations.
This made her stay at a club level since because even registering it required a lot of things.
But eventually the youth activist received support from her community, including the chief and friends.
She managed to register the Girl Power for Change.
“Now we are able to partner with other youth-led organisations like Girl Power For change. We envision a society where vulnerable adolescent girls and young women become catalyst of change for social and economic development,” she said.
The ultimate goal is to ensure girls are in school by providing basic school materials such as school uniforms and promoting menstrual hygiene by teaching the girls how to make reusable sanitary to combat menstrual poverty.
This is done under the Empower Her project funded by Thamani Aviation.
“Through this project, we have reached 10 thousand vulnerable girls in rural villages. It is our dream to reach at least four million girls.
“We also conduct mentorship and motivation sessions to students in primary and secondary schools. Students need role models and we believe that when empowered, they can stay in school.
Linda plans to start a business to sustain the organisation.
She wants to farm crops and livestock and use the proceeds towards Girl Power for Change.
Her plans include establishing several safe spaces for the GBV survivors in at least eight communities in each district.
Her organisation also focuses on teenage mothers and they have collaborated with a tailoring school where girls go to learn clothes making.
Linda has trained 10 girls who have sewing machines and opened shops.
SRHR is a component they chose because most communities don’t talk about it with their children.
Linda, a youth representative at Malawi global Fund, a role that has helped her understand the importance of including young people in matters that affect them.
“When young people are involved in matters that affect them, it creates room for more tailored solutions. For example, allocating more resources to the youth can help address many of their challenges,” she noted.
“I strongly believe that when young people are excluded from decision-making processes, especially in matters that affect them directly, it becomes difficult to address the root causes of their challenges,” Linda said.
To inspire aspiring female leaders, she advises: “Always put God first in everything you do and believe in yourself. The sky is the limit—you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”
The 23-year-old Linda, born and raised in Lilongwe District, is the firstborn in a family of six.
She comes from Madisi Village in Dowa District and she is the daughter of James and Phyllis Phiri.
