ZAMBIA’s Miss World 2025 title holder, Faith Bwalya opened up about the unthinkable trauma she has endured as a teenager, bravely sharing her experience of sexual assault with the world.
At the tender age of 16, Bwalya’s life was marred by two traumatic events, narrowly avoiding a forced early marriage and falling prey to a heinous act of sexual violence that left her shaken to her core.
For years after her ordeal, Bwalya remained silent, overwhelmed by the weight of her experiences and the societal stigma often attached to sexual assault survivors.
Bwalya finally found the courage to speak her truth after eight years of silence, driven by the desire to serve as a source of hope and inspiration to those who, like her, have faced insurmountable obstacles in their lives.
She took to the stage at the 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant, where she commanded the attention of the audience and judges alike with her powerful head-to-head presentation.
Bwalya lamented that had she known that it was ok to speak up, she would have spoken out against the injustices she faced, both the attempted forced marriage and the rape.
She eloquently described her upbringing, expressing gratitude for her loving home while also acknowledging the challenges her family faced.
“Both my parents never had the opportunity to receive an education but despite their struggles, they created a beautiful, loving home for me,” she explained.
“I was still young and coming from an African home as well as being the first born, I had to fend for and stand up for the people who needed me. [But] I was exposed to a cruel and unforgiving world that preyed upon my vulnerability, stripping me of the innocence that should have been mine.”
And using her Miss World platform, she channeled her traumatic experiences into a purposeful mission, advocating for children who have faced similar struggles.
“My Beauty With a Purpose project empowers these children by teaching them practical skills in agriculture and promoting good health practices,” she stated.
“My project is all about advocating for children, youths, and the differently abled from marginalised communities because I believe that everyone has the right to a better life, regardless of their circumstances.”
Bwalya added that empowering these vulnerable groups is giving them the power to shape their own futures and create a better life for themselves and their communities hence, this is the true power that is needed to help them achieve.
She asserted that she understands the need for children to have the knowledge and ability to fend for themselves in matters of health and beyond.
“A broken body can still stand tall just as I have learned to stand tall in spite of the brokenness I once felt. Through my beauty with a purpose project, I am working to provide these children with the tools and resources they need to take charge of their own health and build a brighter future,” she stated.
Bwalya also revealed that there have been campaigns that teach these children about their health and wellbeing, specifically designed to provide them with the information they need to make informed decisions about their health and to promote healthy habits and behaviours.
However, aside from her remarkable accomplishments as Miss Universe Zambia 2025 and founder of The Voice of Faith Foundation, Bwalya is also a proud medical professional, embodying a unique blend of beauty, brains, and altruism.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba May 21, 2025
