Lindiwe Matanya

Commitee Member

Ms. Lindiwe Linnah Matanya is a Malawian human rights advocate, institutional leader, and the Founder and Executive Director of Women for Fair Development (WOFAD), a human rights organisation established in 2005 to advance gender equality, youth empowerment, and sustainable community development in Malawi. In addition to her leadership at WOFAD, she founded Jesus Our Provider Ministry (JOPM) in 2018, where she serves as Apostle, and EL-RIO Private School in 2001, where she serves as Founder and Director. Ms. Matanya has extensive executive leadership experience in the civil society sector, with a strong record of leading programmes in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender-based violence (GBV), HIV/AIDS prevention, women’s economic empowerment, and social justice advocacy across communities in Malawi. Her leadership responsibilities include strategic governance, institutional oversight, partnership coordination, and support for effective programme implementation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology, a Diploma in Theology, a Certificate in Community Development (ABMA), and a Public Health Fellowship Certificate from Virginia Tech. Her regional and international engagement includes participation in leadership and advocacy forums in Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, and Mexico. She is recognised for ethical leadership, accountability, and a sustained commitment to human rights advocacy, inclusive development, and the empowerment of vulnerable groups.