Mozambique Gender Assessment: Leveraging Women and Girls’ Potential
- Fundação RESET
- Mar 2
- 3 min read
Mozambique faces significant gender disparities that hinder women and girls from fully participating in economic, social, and political life. Structural barriers such as high rates of adolescent pregnancy, child marriage, gender-based violence (GBV), and limited access to education and economic opportunities continue to widen the gender gap. Despite high female labor force participation, women are concentrated in low-wage and informal jobs with restricted access to land, credit, and financial resources. Additionally, climate change, conflicts, and natural disasters disproportionately affect women and girls, limiting their resilience and opportunities for advancement.
The report highlights that nearly 50% of adolescent girls in Mozambique are married or pregnant before 19, severely impacting their education and long-term economic prospects. Although gender parity exists at the primary education level, dropout rates increase significantly for girls in secondary education due to early marriage, pregnancy, and financial constraints. In terms of economic empowerment, women lack access to financial services, land ownership, and formal employment, despite 78% of women being engaged in the labor force. Health challenges are also prevalent, with high maternal mortality rates and significant HIV/AIDS burdens among adolescent girls and young women. Furthermore, gender-based violence remains widespread, affecting more than 37% of women and girls, exacerbated by weak legal enforcement and deep-rooted societal norms.
Key Gender Inequality Indicators in Mozambique
High Adolescent Pregnancy and Child Marriage Rates: Nearly 50% of adolescent girls in Mozambique are either married or pregnant by the age of 19, one of the highest rates in the world.
Educational Barriers for Girls: While gender parity is achieved at the primary school level, dropout rates increase significantly for girls in secondary education due to pregnancy, early marriage, and economic constraints.
Gender-Based Violence (GBV): More than 37% of women and girls experience physical or sexual violence, with child marriage and intimate partner violence (IPV) being key contributors.
Economic Disparities: Although female labor force participation is high (78%), women are concentrated in low-wage, informal, and subsistence agricultural roles, with limited access to land, credit, and financial services.
Health Inequities: Women have limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, with high maternal mortality rates and significant HIV/AIDS burdens among adolescent girls and young women.
Climate and Conflict Vulnerability: Women and girls in Mozambique face heightened risks from climate change, natural disasters, and ongoing conflict, particularly in northern regions, limiting their access to services and economic opportunities.
Main Findings and Strategic Priorities
Mozambique’s sustainable development depends on empowering women and girls through targeted policies and interventions. Expanding access to education, financial inclusion, sexual and reproductive health services, and stronger legal protections against gender-based violence is critical. Efforts must also focus on climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and economic participation to ensure that women and girls are included in national development strategies. Addressing these issues holistically will enhance women’s contributions to economic growth, improve household well-being, and drive long-term gender equality.
Education and Empowerment: Expanding access to safe and inclusive schools, reducing adolescent pregnancy, and strengthening legal frameworks to protect girls from child marriage.
Economic Inclusion: Increasing women’s access to productive resources, financial services, and formal employment opportunities, while promoting policies to reduce wage gaps and gender-based labor restrictions.
Health and Well-being: Strengthening sexual and reproductive health services, expanding contraception access, and addressing gender disparities in healthcare.
Combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Enhancing law enforcement, survivor support services, and awareness campaigns to shift societal norms and reduce violence against women and girls.
Resilience to Climate and Conflict Shocks: Strengthening women’s participation in climate adaptation strategies, access to disaster relief, and protection against displacement-related vulnerabilities.
The Bibliography:
RESET Foundation is committed with the The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Mozambique faces significant gender disparities closely linked to several SDGs, particularly those focusing on climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and environmental protection. The main related SDGs include:
The SDG's, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
