Her
Excellency Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika
US Ambassador to Zambia
Inonge
Mbikusita-Lewanika is ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to the
United States, Washington, DC. From 2002 to 2003, she also served as special
envoy of the President of the Republic of Zambia. In that capacity, she
chaired an Organization of African Unity Meeting of Experts on Gender Mainstreaming
in the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She was among the lobbyists
that ensured the gender balance in the highest ranks of the African Union.
From 1991 to 2001, Dr. Mbikusita-Lewanika, served on several parliamentary
committees in Zambia, including the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Women,
Youth, and Child Development Committee, and as chair of the Sports, Youth,
and Child Welfare Committee. From 1996 to 2001, she chaired the Zambia
All Party Women Parliamentary Caucus. From 1980 to 1990, Dr. Mbikusita-Lewanika
held various posts with UNICEF, including that of regional advisor on Women
and Development and Child Development.
Dr.
Mbikusita-Lewanika earned an M.A. in education and psychology from California
State Polytechnic College, San Luis, Obispo, and a Ph.D. in early childhood
and primary education from New York University. Ambassador Mbikusita-Lewanika,
has also worked for nongovernmental organizations and served as a community
activist. She is the mother of two daughters and a grandmother of two boys.
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