61. The proportion of women in Mozambique’s Parliament is one of the highest not
only in southern Africa, but in the world at large. This is in line with the
government’s pledge to have 30% of women in policy decision-making bodies by
2005, in terms of the SADC Declaration on Gender (1997). In June 2010, the
Government of Mozambique ratified the SADC Protocol on Gender and
Development, which calls for gender parity.
62. At government level, it should be pointed out that during the period under
appraisal, the prime minister’s portfolio was once held by a woman. Currently, 8
out of 29 cabinet ministers, five out of 26 deputy ministers, 6 out of 25 permanent
secretaries, and 3 out of 11 provincial governors are all women. At professional
level, 29% of magistrates, 34% of judges, 30% of advocates, 51.3% of medical
doctors, and 37% of teachers are women.
63. Although there has been a larger representation of women in decision-making
bodies in general, female representation at local level decision-making bodies
remains low.
64. The progress made towards gender equality is self-evident. Yet, this effort is still
faced with a number of challenges:
Strengthening measures aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination based
on sex, by promoting gender equality;
Ensuring the establishment and operation of Gender Units within government
institutions;
Encouraging a greater participation of women in politics and access to
influential positions in society;
Pursuing the dissemination and establishment of legal instruments on gender,
including International Law standards;
Promoting women’s access and training in areas traditionally designated for
men.
65. In Mozambique, most of the government’s mechanisms geared towards human
development are guided by the principles of universality, equality and legality,
among others. For instance, the government’s five-year plans, which fit into this
reporting period, state as a priority the political will to coordinate, ensure and
encourage a gender-based approach to defining, planning and implementing
sectoral development programs, and endeavoring to put into practice gender issues
undertaken by the government. Similarly, PARP includes short- and medium-term
government guidelines.
Article 7: Principle of Access to Justice
66. In terms of the Charter, this principle covers the right to appeal to courts, the
guarantee of presumption of innocence while awaiting trial by a competent
tribunal, the right of a person charged with an offense to be defended by counsel of
his/her choice or by an ex officio counsel appointed free of charge in the event of
Combined Report from the Republic of Mozambique to the ACHPR, 1999-2010
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