This is a guest blog by Alinafe Favour Kanyimbo, who participated as a mentee in the RWSN and Women in WASH 2025 Mentorship Program.
My name is Alinafe Favour Kanyimbo, a WASH passionate Malawian emerging professional with a background in Water Resources Management and Water Policy. Over the past few years, my academic and professional experiences have strengthened my commitment to advancing sustainable water and sanitation systems that improve community well-being, especially for women and youth. Earlier this year, I had the privilege to participate in the RWSN and Women in WASH 2025 Mentorship Programs, an enriching journey that ran from April to September 2025 and profoundly shaped my professional and personal growth.
When I joined the mentorship program, I was enthusiastic to broaden my understanding of women in WASH, leadership, and professional development within the WASH sector. I was also looking for direction on how to channel my growing passion for inclusive WASH and Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) into meaningful action. I was paired with Mr. Sylvester Vungu, an experienced WASH professional whose leadership and dedication to community-centered development greatly inspired me.
From our very first interaction, my mentor encouraged me to reflect deeply on my career goals and to identify the specific areas I wanted to strengthen. Through consistent conversations, he shared valuable guidance on navigating career pathways, building confidence, and enhancing professional visibility. His mentorship also highlighted the importance of leadership grounded in empathy, collaboration, and service, lessons that resonated strongly with my own vision for community empowerment.
One of the most impactful aspects of the mentorship was our discussion on gender inclusion and women’s participation in the WASH sector. I came to appreciate how meaningful engagement of women in decision-making processes can transform not just water and sanitation outcomes but entire communities. Reading articles from different countries, I appreciated the efforts by different organizations like World Vision to promote MHM, especially in rural areas and schools. These reflections reinforced my dedication to championing inclusive WASH approaches that prioritize the needs, voices, and dignity of women and girls.
The regular sessions, knowledge-sharing events, and peer exchanges allowed me to learn from diverse perspectives and discover innovative solutions that can be adapted to local contexts in Malawi.
As I look back, the RWSN and Women in WASH Mentorship Programme has been more than just a professional development opportunity; it has been a journey of rediscovery and empowerment. It has strengthened my belief that when women are supported, mentored, and included in WASH initiatives, communities thrive, and sustainability becomes attainable.
As I move forward, I am motivated to keep contributing to the development of equitable, resilient, and gender-responsive WASH systems, ensuring that no one is left behind. I remain deeply grateful to my mentor, Mr. Sylvester Vungu, for his timeless support, encouragement, and wisdom throughout this transformative journey.
Author Bio
Alinafe Kanyimbo is a water and sanitation professional from Malawi with a Master of Science in Water Policy from the Pan African University Institute for Water and Energy Sciences (PAUWES). She is passionate about gender inclusion, climate resilience, and sustainable WASH systems that empower communities and promote equity.
To join RWSN and be informed about the next round of the mentoring programme, please sign up here.
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