Female Empowerment & Gender Equality Internship in Zambia

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Support women and teenage girls and work to close prevailing gender gaps in Zambia

Join a dedicated organization that runs female empowerment projects in Zambia. It’s an opportunity to learn about gender equality issues in an African context, to get an in-depth understanding of the nonprofit sector, and to contribute to a worthwhile cause.

The project is based in Livingstone, Zambia , and supports teenage girls and working to close prevailing gender gaps. As an intern, you’ll both be able to help facilitate projects on the ground, and work behind the scenes on fundraising, reporting, communications, and related areas. This Female Empowerment and Gender Equality internship will give you a broad understanding of nonprofit management in general, and female empowerment projects in particular.

ORGANIZATION

Addressing a number of disadvantages females face in the African countries they work in, this nonprofit provides teenage girls with developmental support. They do this through a number of different focus areas; education, health, safety, income generation, early pregnancy and self-confidence. The overall goal of these projects is to see better educated young women (and men) head towards adulthood with a smaller gender gap and more opportunities for women.

TASKS & REQUIreMENTS

During this female empowerment internship, you’ll be supported by staff members on the ground, as well as a qualified personal development coach, who will help you make the most of the experience, and place it in the context of your academic course and your future career.

Responsibilities

  • Development and facilitation of educational projects on the ground. If you have any special interests and skills, it’s always possible to share these the girls we work with. Think about confidence-building activities, self-defense, or even dance as a form of self-expression!
  • Facilitation of support groups for girls and women: to help uplift them (and their family) discussions, workshops and sometimes also income-generating activities
  • Family assistance: ranging from assistance at home to working with the children to provide them a better foundation for future education and work
  • Fundraising activities
  • Monitoring and evaluation
  • Donor relationship managements
  • Communications & social media

Requirements

  • Passion for creating change on global issues such as human rights, gender equality, and female empowerment. Plus you should be able to adapt to living in an African country.
  • We work predominantly with vulnerable children addressing sensitive topics, so it’s important you are emotionally strong, open-minded, and posses a certain level of maturity.
  • Positive attitude and willingness to step out of your comfort zone.
  • Be a self-starter and pro-active (even though you will be working with a supportive team).
  • Minimum age of 21 years (due to visa regulations).

WHERE YOU’LL STAY

You will be based in Livingstone, a welcoming tourist town in a unique setting. Just a short drive away from the banks of the mighty Zambezi River and the famous Victoria Falls, there will be plenty of opportunities to take sunset boat cruises and explore what nature has to offer! During your time off, you can venture to the African bush for a safari or stroll around the local markets.

Your backpackers accommodation is included in the internship fee, and we’ll arrange it all for you! There are dorms or single rooms available, and you’ll have use of a great number of facilities, including a pool.

Safety & Support

Safety & Support

Zambia is a relatively safe country, but there is petty crime, so it’s always good to be vigilant. Some safety tips are to avoid traveling alone, take a taxi/Uber at night, know safe/unsafe areas, avoid carrying valuables around, stay alert, and inquire about swim area safety. Prioritize protection from heatstroke and dehydration during your stay by drinking plenty of water. It is also important to respect the advice given to you by the accommodation host and internship supervisor.

Communication

Communication

Free Wi-Fi is available at the accommodation for staying in touch with loved ones through WhatsApp, Zoom, etc., but it may be slow. Purchase a Zambian SIM card for reliable phone use or opt for roaming.

Meals

Meals

At the backpackers, you can enjoy diverse meals with international and local flavors! During weekdays, breakfast and dinner are included in the fee, and open fire cooking sessions and braais (BBQ) are enjoyed weekly. Make sure to notify us in advance of any allergies/dietary needs.

Location details

Location details

Livingstone is located in one of Africa’s most peaceful countries, and offers a welcoming atmosphere where the locals will make you feel at home. Add excitement with bungee jumping, white water rafting, or helicopter flights. You can discover landmarks such as the Chobe Safari (Botswana) and Victoria Falls or take a weekend trip over to Zimbabwe!

DATES & RATES

Fee Breakdown

Start dates

2026: 5 Jan – 2 Feb – 2/30 Mar – 27 April – 25 May – 22 June – 20 July – 17 Aug – 14 Sept – 12 Oct – 9 Nov

Internships longer than 12 weeks are possible; contact us for more information.

What you will pay (2026 rates)

4 weeks USD 3,450

6 weeks USD 5,150

8 weeks USD 6,850

10 weeks USD 8,850

12 weeks USD 10,250

Inclusions

  • Careful matchmaking. It takes time to find the right internship for each person, and we take this process very seriously.
  • Initial interview with one of our team to gauge your skills, interests, and desired learning outcomes.
  • An academic internship eligible for university credit. Check with your university to confirm if this internship qualifies for credit or alternatively we can assist you with purchasing transfer credits.
  • Accommodation in a shared room
  • 3 meals a day from Monday to Friday
  • All daily transfers to and from your projects
  • Wifi access
  • Housekeeping service
  • Guidance with your visa arrangement and other preparations
  • Onboarding with your supervisor
  • Regular check-ins
  • Support from the Roots team remotely
  • A certificate of completion at the end of your internship
  • A reference letter upon request

Exclusions

  • Flights to Livingstone
  • Visa and medical/travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
  • Meals on the weekend
  • Drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
  • Costs for additional excursions or activities
SCHOLARSHIP & FUNDING

FAQs

Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in Zambia.

What can I expect from an internship in Zambia?

During your internship in Zambia, you’ll be able to work with people from around the world, while also becoming part of a tight-knit community. Check out this testimonial blog from a past intern about her experience in Zambia to learn more about what your Zambian internship may entail!

How will internships with NGOs in Zambia boost my career development?

An internship with an NGO in Zambia will allow you to develop and strengthen various skills such as communication, teamwork, project management, problem-solving, leadership, and adaptability. You can check out this blog article in order to learn more about why doing a charity internship is good for your career!

Will I work with other interns during my internship with Roots?

It’s not a guarantee that there will be other interns on-site at the same time as you, but the organizations work with people internationally and locally to achieve their goals daily so there are plenty of colleagues around. The accommodation is a great way to meet other volunteers in the area as well!

Who can apply for an internship in Zambia?

Only people above the age of 21 can apply due to visa requirements. If you’re under 21 you can apply for a hybrid internship, which is up to 1 month in person and then continues remotely.

Am I able to receive a stipend of any kind during my internship?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to receive any compensation. Since you’ll be joining a nonprofit organization, your internship will be unpaid, but you can find ways to fund your internship here. The opportunities for both professional and personal growth are invaluable and your experience will bring a wealth of new knowledge!

REVIEWS

This internship has been an unforgettable experience. The work was deeply fulfilling and gave me valuable insight into what it’s like to be part of an NGO. Beyond the office, I had an absolutely incredible time in Livingstone. I've spent nights under the stars at Chobe National Park, I've gone bungee jumping and rope swinging off of the bridge connecting Zambia and Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls, and built lifelong friendships with fellow interns and volunteers. It has been truly phenomenal—far beyond what I ever imagined.

Ty, American – Muskingum University

NGO Management Internship, Zambia

I had to do an internship for my studies, so I decided to take the opportunity to travel abroad for the first time. I did a lot of research on the internet, looking for the right organization, and finally found Roots Interns’ website which looked trustworthy. We had a lot of Zoom calls and they took the time to learn about what I was truly looking for. We discussed my requirements and my learning goals, including enhancing my English speaking and professional skills, and then they matched me with the perfect organization for my needs. For anyone who wants to do an internship abroad, I would 100% recommend Roots and I encourage you to take on this unique experience.

Auriane, French – Engineering School BCPST

NGO Management Internship, South Africa

QUICK FACTS

LOCATION: Livingstone, Zambia
PROGRAM FOCUS: Social NGO
TASK FOCUS: Program Development, NGO Management
LENGTH: 4-12 Weeks
COST: From USD 3,450

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Assist with educational projects and support groups
  • Gain insight in and assist with fundraising, communications, donor management, and monitoring
  • Contribute to an organization aiming to empower and educate girls, women, boys and men to help them make more informed positive decisions that promote gender equality
  • Opportunity to also share you own special interests, hobbies, and skills with the girls
  • Live with other volunteers and interns
  • Explore African wildlife, visit cultural sites and the colourful markets in your spare time
ENQUIREAPPLY NOW

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:

APPLY

Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.

GET STARTED

SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR

We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.

INTERNSHIP MATCHING

If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.

PAYMENT

If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.

CONFIRMATION

Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.

NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?

Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!

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