Laida Chongo is a women's rights advocate, a freelance writer, a communications and campaigns specialist. She has written for a number of platforms including African Philanthropy Network, Paradigm Initiative, Times of Zambia and GenderIT among others. 

Laida Chongo has more than 5 years of experience in Communications with expertise in social media management, campaigns, movement building, publicity and relationship building. She has a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Zambia and has worked with a number of both local and international organisations such as the British High Commission in Zambia, Council of Churches in Zambia, Alliance for Community Action and Radio Chimwemwe among others. 

Laida has volunteered for international publications such as Memunatu magazine, that promotes literacy and leadership, for teenage girls in Africa, and national organisations like Nyali Zambia that engage boys in the fight against Gender Based Violence. 

She is an alumni at RHIZE and is most passionate about empowering and connecting women to opportunities that grow them as individuals and their careers. She believes in celebrating other women and people who are impacting the world positively. She is currently working as the Southern Africa communications and media organiser at Africans Rising.

Project topic: Combatting "Blalizo" payments in Zambia

Sponsor: Meta Journalism Project