The Mozambican Women’s Day is celebrated throughout Mozambique, on April 7th. The day is a way to commemorate the death of Josina Machel (1945-1971), a national heroine and wife of Samora Machel (1933-1986), she was one of the many Mozambican women who fought for the Country independence, thus becoming an example and inspiration for the Mozambican women’s movement. The occasion is a time for us to reflect on and honor Mozambican women for their courage and determination in participating in the construction of a more equal and fair society, inspiring positive change and promoting women’s empowerment.

«Josina Machel was a warrior woman who created various feminist movements to put women at the center of attention, explains Francelina Cebola Manuel – CUAMM nurse in Tete province. Celebrating this day symbolizes the historical struggle of women to have their conditions equated with men».

Today, despite the progress made, the movement for the empowerment of Mozambican women cannot stop. Indeed, although general trends show significant progress in the pursuit of gender equality, they do not reflect the experience of millions of people who continue to be left behind: specifically women in rural areas, as well as those who are in conditions of strong vulnerability due to the consequences of conflict and/or climate disasters.

«The Mozambican woman is a fighter, says Isefa Sufo – CUAMM paralegal in Cabo Delgado province. She wakes up every day and seeks a better life for herself and her family, and after all the struggle in the past, having served as inspiration for women, they have fought for their rights, specifically speaking of the right to equality in terms of job opportunities». Isefa knows many fighters. As a CUAMM paralegal in Pemba, Cabo Delgado, she encounters and supports women victims of gender-based violence to whom she provides legal consultations. «Today there is a prominent place for women but there are still situations that challenge women daily and culminate in rights violations. There is still a huge amount of work to be done» declared Isefa.

CUAMM works in Cabo Delgado province with a specific intervention dedicated to supporting refugees and internally displaced women. A team of psychologists, paralegal and community health workers operates in 2 districts, namely Montepuez and Pemba where they manage gbv cases therefore provide psychological and legal support to the victims and survivors of gbv and engage the community in awareness raising activities.

On occasion of April 7th, CUAMM team in the southern province of Cabo Delgado invited both the community and the local health authorities to the celebrations organized in collaboration with its partner UNHCR and Helpcode. During the morning, community health workers performed two theatre plays on the theme of gender based physical violence and economic violence to sensitize the public on the theme and later engage them in a open discussion with the support of the team. At the end of the day, an artesanal and cooking fair was also set and the commemoration ended with traditional dancing.

«Today was an important day for us, during which we staged through theater what unfortunately still happens, but fortunately, thanks also to the activities of our project, we are able to confront and contain. Every day, CUAMM activists raise awareness in the community about issues related to gender-based violence and mental health, two fundamental pillars of our activities, while the technical team handles the daily management of individual cases requiring support and accompaniment. We carry out psychosocial activities in our protection homes every day, and for the community, we are a reference point: a safe place, for help, reflection, awareness, and teaching, but also for fun and joyful participation, as it was today». Said Laura Bretti –  CUAMM Project Manager in Pemba.

 

 

Celebrar este dia significa simbolizar a luta histórica da mulher para ter as suas condições equiparadas aos homens. No país todo, hà cerimónia de várias maneirasː as mulheres têm um veste igual de capulanas, lenços, chapéus, camisetes, com desenhos ou fotografia de Josina Machel. Organizam vários tipos de culturas, danças, cantos, teatro e vai-se ao desfile na praça dos heróis celebrando a cerimónia com presença de toda liderança da província ou distrito.

Francelina Cebola Manuel – CUAMM nurse in Tete

 

Women celebrate Women’s Day with smiles on their faces: they dress in capulana, each more beautiful than the other, and wear vibrant colors. It’s a day of joy and celebration, it is an opportunity to honor women for their effort and dedication, for their achievements, and for their virtues.

Lorraine Mataure – CUAMM doctor in Quelimane

 

On April 7th, we celebrate the strength, courage, and battle of a woman who spared no effort and showed us that as women, we are capable of accomplishing tasks that are socially designated for men.

Elisa Fernando Tembe – CUAMM GBV supervisor in Cabo Delgado.

 

The adjective that better describes Mozambican women is “hardworking,” as they wake up every day and strive for a better life for themselves and their families. After all the struggles in the past, having served as inspiration for women, they have fought for their rights, specifically speaking of the right to equality in terms of job opportunities. There has been a prominent place for women in recent times thanks to all this struggle, but there are still situations that challenge women daily and culminate in rights violations. There is still a huge amount of work to be done because we have managed to win the battle, but not the war. However, together we are stronger.

Isefa Sufo – CUAMM paralegal in the province of Cabo Delgado.

 

April the 7th is a national holiday, despite being a sad day due to the loss of the great warrior Josina Machel, it is important to celebrate it to honor her and show the community how important she was and continues to be for the whole Mozambican society.

Estrela Omar – Assistente de escritório em Pemba, Cabo Delgado

 

Mozambican Women’s Day for me means strength, wisdom, love, and solidarity among Mozambican women, in which we support each other. “It is very important for me and I believe for other Mozambican women to celebrate Mozambican Women’s Day because on this day, we not only celebrate the achievements made so far, but we also honor and remember our heroine Josina Machel and all other women who fought for a better Mozambique and equal rights for all. I am aware that the fight is ongoing and we still have a long way to go until all Mozambican children, women, and all other women around the world enjoy the same rights as men.”

Vilma Helena Caetano Joaquim – CUAMM Admin in Beira, Sofala

 

April 7th symbolizes the strength that women have to fight their battles in society. It represents the empowerment of women.

Isabel Silvestre – CUAMM Log in Pemba, Cabo Delgado

 

 

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