Mozambique: New policy aims for more women in government, attention to needs

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Mozambique: New policy aims for more women in government, attention to needs

10:56 CAT | 28 Dec 2018

In file CoM

Mozambique is to step up the implementation of quotas for women in the executive and in all decision-making bodies, under a new gender policy published in the official state journal.

The new gender policy advocates the equitable inclusion of women in the electoral lists of political parties or groups of citizens and decision-making bodies.

In addition, “training in gender matters [should be] provided for all men and women in government and a follow-up tutorial offered for women,” the document also states, as a guide fopr political actions in the coming years.

The Mozambican state, it continues, must promote an inclusive political environment, reinforcing the perception of governing as an activity independent of sex.

In practical terms, it should “undertake actions to raise the role and responsibility of men in advancing gender equality in the different sectors, organs and levels of governance”, the document states.

The guidelines focus in particular on the extractive industries, stressing the imperative of gender balance and defence of women’s interests in this sector. With that aim in view, the employability of women in the extractive sector should be encouraged, as well as their eligibility for the provision of goods and services to business companies.

At the same time, the social responsibility of the extractive sector’s major corporate projects in promoting gender equality must be encouraged.

Also in the field of economic emancipation, the policy calls for equality of access, control and ownership of the land by women.

The document goes on to recommend the inclusion in and access of women to the defence and security forces and in peace and conflict resolution processes.

At the same time, it states that the protection and attention to the needs of female combatants and civilians during and after armed conflicts should be ensured, as well as “ensuring access to justice for women and girls who are victims of armed conflict and the criminal accountability of perpetrators, aiming at an end to impunity.”

Source: Lusa