Memory Banda is a leading Malawian rights activist fighting to end child marriage and harmful practices against girls. Memory become a global campaigner for women’s rights after her little sister was married at the age of 11. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for Girls Leadership (F4GL Malawi), a non-profit that promotes equal access to rights, equality, and education for women. She led the movement to convince the Malawi government to raise the legal age of marriage to 18, which resulted in other countries banning child marriage.
Memory put a global spotlight on the issue of child marriage during a 2015 Ted talk, which caught the attention of over 1.3 million viewers around the world. She was nominated for the Kids Rights Prize Award and has received the International Youth Student Award along with the UN’s Young Activist Award.
Memory continues to speak out against child marriage and promote women’s rights as a member of the Pan African Young Speakers and Activists group and other speakers bureaus. She is also a Gates Foundation Goalkeeper for the Global Goals, an honor bestowed on leaders addressing the world’s greatest challenges.
Memory continues to promote her vision of seeing that all girls receive an education and grow up free from violence and inequality.
