Mozambique

Liberation and the Constitution

The Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique guarantees equality between women and men regarding the right to access and control land, although in practice, the majority of women do not have control over land. The new Land Law is a legal instrument to protect the rights of women and acknowledges both formal and customary law. Some critics argue that this makes a conservative interpretation of customary norms available to deny women access.

Despite government efforts, literacy among women has not increased significantly compared that of men, rising from 25.9 percent in 1997 to 32 percent in 2003. Women's ability to access formal employment is generally limited because of their educational qualifications, which on average are lower than men. Several studies indicate that the main productive income-generating activities done by women are the sale of agricultural produce. Women also dominate in small business enterprises, operating between provinces and across borders.

The Domestic Violence Bill of 2009 provides some insight into local debates concerning the implementation of gender equality. Some members of the press argued that the bill needs to be “more inclusive,” as it “demonizes men”-and one even introduced a new word, “mulherismo,” or “female chauvinism.” The assumption behind these claims is that women frequently commit acts of gender-based violence on men and that gender neutrality in the wording of the bill would be a real reflection of gender equality. Research does not concur, as a recent study in Mozambique revealed that 54 percent of interviewed women had been subject to physical or sexual violence. The study indicated that only 10 percent of cases of violence were reported to the police, partly because domestic violence is still viewed as a private matter.

Powerful women in Mozambique include Luisa Dias Diogo, the first female prime minister of Mozambique. She promotes the free provision of sexual and reproductive healthcare within the region. Graça Machel is an international advocate for women's rights. She has served as the Mozambican minister of education and vice chancellor of the University of Cape Town. Maria Mutola is an athlete who specializes in the 800-meters race. She won the gold medal at the World Athletics Championships on 1993, 2001, and 2003 and was an Olympic gold medalist in 2000.

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