European Union and United Nations donate resources to support the elimination of violence against women and girls in Mozambique

MAPUTO, Mozambique- The European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) donated 10 vehicles, 50 motorcycles and 20 computers to the Government of Mozambique as part of actions to eliminate gender-based violence and child marriage in the country, within the scope of the Spotlight Initiative, which covers the provinces of Gaza, Manica and Nampula.

The equipment will make the work of law enforcement and justice, health, gender and social protection authorities more flexible to help prevent and respond to cases of violence, making services more accessible to women and girls.

The provision of these resources represents the strengthening of partnership relations between the Government, the United Nations and the European Union in the context of assistance to disadvantaged population groups, in particular children, women and girls" - Minister for Gender, Children and Social Action, Nyeleti Mondlane

In Mozambique, it is estimated that one in three women suffer violence during their lifetime and almost half of girls marry before the age of 18, many of whom become pregnant during adolescence. That is why it is vital to ensure quality services for survivors and to ensure their safety and well-being.

The equipment was distributed simultaneously to 10 districts in the provinces of Gaza, Manica and Nampula, where the programme is implemented. In Gaza, the delivery ceremony was attended by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Action, Nyeleti Mondlane, the European Union Ambassador, Antonio Sánchez-Benedito Gaspar, and the United Nations Population Fund Resident Representative (UNFPA), Andrea M. Wojnar, representing the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the country. The ceremonies in Manica and Nampula were attended, respectively, by the Permanent Secretary and the Deputy Minister of the same ministry, and also by representatives of the European Union, the United Nations and the district authorities.

Minister Nyeleti Mondlane ensured that the goods delivered will allow for an improvement in the quality of services provided to target groups, especially for the eradication of all forms of gender-based violence and child marriage in the provinces covered by the Spotlight Initiative in this pilot phase.

"The provision of these resources represents the strengthening of partnership relations between the Government, the United Nations and the European Union in the context of assistance to disadvantaged population groups, in particular children, women and girls," said Nyeleti Mondlane. The minister further noted that the sector she leads will responsibly manage the resources received to improve the quality of services provided, in order to eradicate violence in areas where the programme is implemented and in the country in general.

"This action represents our message of solidarity and hope to all women and girls who are beneficiaries, to tell them they are not alone.” - European Union Ambassador, Antonio Sánchez-Benedito Gaspar

According to the European Union Ambassador, Antonio Sánchez-Benedito Gaspar, “this donation comes at a time when the country and the world are facing the COVID-19 pandemic and, therefore, this action represents our message of solidarity and hope to all women and girls who are beneficiaries, to tell them they are not alone”. The Ambassador added that “as the European Union, we are aware of the increased risk of violence due to confinement and we believe that these resources will help to reinforce the Government of Mozambique's response to the problem of gender-based violence by ensuring that all women and girls have access to the services they need. Fighting violence against women and girls will always be a priority for the European Union and for all actors involved in the implementation of this ambitious programme".

"The UN will continue to support the Government of Mozambique in the fight against violence, for gender equality and for sustainable development – which are fundamental weapons in the fight against COVID-19." - UNFPA, Resident Representative, Andrea M. Wojnar, representing the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the country

For her part, UNFPA's Resident Representative, Andrea M. Wojnar, stated that, “in the context of this unprecedented global crisis caused by COVID-19, the donation we make today ensures the UN's complete commitment to supporting and protecting women and girls. The UN will continue to support the Government of Mozambique in the fight against violence, for gender equality and for sustainable development – which are fundamental weapons in the fight against COVID-19”. Andrea M. Wojnar reaffirmed the UN's commitment to inclusion and human dignity and added: “the objective of the Spotlight Initiative is to empower women and girls, to promote their health and their sexual and reproductive rights, to give institutions the means they need to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence and to eliminate child marriage”.

NOTE TO EDITORS

The Spotlight Initiative is a global partnership between the EU and the UN to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. It is implemented in over 26 countries worldwide, eight of which are in Africa. In Mozambique, the Initiative was launched in March 2019 and is implemented by four UN agencies (UN Women, UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF), under the leadership of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Action and in close collaboration with civil society. The initiative's priority actions are aimed at eliminating sexual and gender violence and child marriage, as well as promoting the sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls. The Initiative lasts for four years (2019-2022), backed by an investment of 35 million Euros from the EU. It is expected to benefit more than six million people, half of whom are women and girls.

Contact about this press release:

Sónia Muchate, Press and Information Officer, European Union Delegation in Mozambique, sonia.arao-muchate@eeas.europa.eu, +258 84 881 77 99

Gabriel Pereira, Communications Officer, UNICEF Mozambique, gpereira@unicef.org, +258 82 316 5390