At the invitation of FEMNET (The African Women's Development and Communication Network), Mozambique was represented at the Beijing+30 - Africa Regional Platform, recently held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This event, which brought together voices from various regions across the continent, included the participation of Mozambican organizations such as AMODEFA, represented by Márcia Mandlate; Jossoal-Manica, represented by Marlene Nilva; and Galamukani-Tete, represented by Felizarda Malene. The conference theme was, “United in Solidarity, Safeguarding Our Gains, and Amplifying Our Voices.”
The Beijing+30 initiative celebrates nearly three decades of work for gender equality since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action, a global milestone for women’s rights. Organized by FEMNET in partnership with UN Women, the African Union, and other entities, the meeting in Addis Ababa emphasized the need to protect and expand the progress achieved, aspiring toward a future in which women’s and girls’ rights become an accessible and concrete reality.
On the first days of the event, key gender equality topics were discussed, such as gender-based violence, one of the most critical issues affecting African women, who continue to face high levels of domestic violence and harmful traditional practices.
Another topic of discussion was educational inequality. Despite progress, girls from rural areas still face barriers in accessing quality education.
The platform also addressed women’s economic participation, noting that they remain underrepresented in formal employment and leadership positions and face wage inequality. In a similar vein, the discussions focused on bodily autonomy and reproductive rights, particularly the lack of access to reproductive health services.
Women's political participation was another issue raised, as women remain underrepresented in decision-making spaces and political processes.
Digital access and mental health were also discussed. Young women’s mental health is often overlooked, impacting their well-being and development.
(By Márcia Mandlate)
