The Denga Epaphras Ndaitwah Impact Foundation has officially been launched to address challenges that boys and young men face.

The foundation, chaired by the First Gentleman, Epaphras Ndaitwah, will work with all stakeholders to promote social development, with emphasis on the boy child.

The initiative comes against the backdrop of a UNAM study on boys' underachievement and under-participation in education.

The study found that boys are leaving school earlier, with girls outnumbering them in enrollment by Grade six and also recording higher graduation numbers.

The First Gentleman said the foundation is not intended to compete with programmes supporting girls and young women but to address a gap affecting boys and young men.

“We stand for the boy child, not in opposition to the girl child, but as a partner in shared progress. A balanced nation is a stronger nation, and our boys and girls must place together as mutually inclusive partners.” 

The foundation will focus on education, agriculture, sports, and vocational training, while promoting positive masculinity, discipline, mentorship, and skills development.

“The foundation’s mission is to lead social development programmes that empower young people, especially boys, promote gender balance, foster discipline, and strengthen cultural identity. This forms part of our country’s broader national development goals,” added Ndaitwah.

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare said the disparities facing boys require urgent and targeted interventions.

“In line with the Sixth National Development Plan, which seeks to achieve gender equality and equity and promote the full participation and empowerment of men, women, boys, and girls in all areas of society, focusing on boys and young men is critical to nation-building. The work of the First Gentleman underscores the need for early and systematic interventions.”

Dr Ngurare also highlighted the unemployment and mental health pressures faced by boys and young men.

“We call on mothers and fathers alike to raise boys who are taught that their emotions are not a burden to hide but a strength to understand, and that it is important to seek counselling services. We call on businesses and industries to open doors to mentorship, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities for our young men.”

The DEN Impact Foundation is expected to work across all 14 regions.