This Women’s Month, Access to Health Zambia celebrates the incredible women whose passion, leadership, and dedication continue to drive positive change within our organization and the communities we serve. Among these remarkable women is Brenda Phiri, one of our longest-serving employees and a member of the Senior Leadership Management Team, whose commitment and leadership have played a vital role in advancing our mission.
Brenda’s journey with Access to Health Zambia (A2HealthZ), formerly known as CMMB, spans 14 years. A nurse by profession, she holds a Degree in Guidance and Counselling and a Master’s in Public Health. Her career began when she was deployed to Luapula Province as a Provincial Coordinator under the Zambian Led Prevention Initiative. Over the years, her dedication and leadership have seen her take on key roles, including managing the Community Rising Project, and leading the SAFE (Support an AIDS Free Era (SAFE) – Access to Health Zambia) and DREAMS Projects (DETERMINED RESILIENT EMPOWERED AIDS-FREE, MENTORED AND SAFE WOMEN (DREAMS) – Access to Health Zambia), working closely with communities to improve health outcomes and strengthen health systems.
Today, she serves as the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) Technical Advisor, providing technical guidance to enhance care for women and children across supported facilities.
Reflecting on her long tenure, Brenda has drawn inspiration from the organization’s purpose, finding motivation in the positive difference it makes every day.
“For fourteen years, I have been driven by the mission to deliver locally sustainable, quality health solutions to women, children, and their communities. This work is more than a job to me; it is my passion.”
Her transition from hospital nursing to the Non Government Organization sector allowed her to address health challenges on a broader scale, supporting programs that reach entire communities.
“One of my most memorable experiences has been working on the CHAMPS Kanyama Project (CHILDREN AND MOTHERS PARTNERSHIPS (CHAMPS) – Access to Health Zambia), where I witnessed a significant reduction in maternal and neonatal deaths following our support to Kanyama Level One Hospital and surrounding health facilities. Recording zero maternal and neonatal deaths in 2025 is a milestone reflecting the collective efforts of health workers, community volunteers, and supporting partners,” Brenda shares.
As the world commemorates International Women’s Day 2026, Brenda calls on women to lift each other up. “When you empower a woman, you empower an entire generation. This year’s women’s day theme, ‘Give To Gain’, challenges us to recognize that every act of support whether through mentorship, education, opportunities, or guidance doesn’t just benefit the individual woman; it strengthens families, communities, and society as a whole.”
