Mozambique: Harassment perpetuates a cycle of violence

Mozambique, 27 November: As we commemorate Sixteen Days of Activism, it is important to consider all the forms of violence that women and girls are subject to and how these forms fundamentally effect their access to education, employment and the economy. This disempowerment perpetuates gender inequality and renders women more vulnerable to other forms of gender-based violence. According to the 2014 SADC Gender Protocol Barometer gender violence and sexual harassment in schools and in work places remains a major problem across the region.

Reporter Jose Tembe investigates the problem in Mozambique. According to those interviewed in the report, sexual harassment is a matter of serious concern in Mozambican schools, contributing to poor education performance among school girls, dropouts, early pregnancies, and a rise in HIV infection in the country. One can also tell from this story that fuelling this scourge – as it is across the globe- is a culture of silence and victim-blaming, since people are of the misguided belief that girls wearing mini-skirts “provokes” sexual harassment. Both the authorities and people working in the education sector agree that a lot remains to be done to curb this form of gender violence and to ensure women are safe and free from harassment in schools and work places.

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This podcast is part of the Gender Links News Service Sixteen Days of Activism special series. Bringing you fresh views on everyday news