Outcome MOZ_D_4.1

The enabling environment for sustainable implementation of women in leadership, WPS and HA commitments is strengthened

Some progress was made in 2022 towards achievement of an enabling environment for sustainable implementation of Women Peace and Security commitments in Mozambique. One of the main milestones has been that UN Women has secured funds from Kingdom of Norway for the implementation of the second phase of WPS Programme. The project aims ensure women and girls contribute to and have greater influence in building sustainable peace and resilience and to benefit equally from the prevention of conflicts and disasters in Mozambique. Following the partnership established with academic with academic institutions , UN Women has worked with Joaquim Chissano University in the elaboration of research on the gendered impact of the conflict and violent extremism in Northern Mozambique. As part of Knowledge Sharing, UN Women organized a set of report presentations to partners including donors to share the key findings and recommendations that can inform future programmes on WPS. A Short summary of the study was shared with Partners while the long report is being designed. UN Women has contribuited to increase dialogues on Women,Peace and Security as well as awarness on Global and National norms and policies of women and girls affected by conflict as well as partners, by organizing a national conference on women peace and security in Cabo Delgado. to discuss the importance of women's participation and leadership in the peace, security and recovery processes including Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR) and including of building and consolidating a solid and lasting peace in Mozambique and identifying additional strategies to overcome the challenges as well as a reflection of protection human rights and freedoms of women and girls in the context of increasing violence. The conference was attended by stakeholders ranging from Women’s Organizations and Networks from Maputo, Manica, Tete, Sofala, Zambezia, Nampula, and Cabo Delgado Provinces, including women affected by conflict from Cabo Delgado and Sofala, Youth Associations, Religious and Community Leaders, UN agencies, International Organizations and Government Officers. A total of 130 participants attended (100 in person and 30 virtually) from which 110 were female and 20 male.

The enabling environment for sustainable implementation of WPS commitments is strengthened

Some progress was made in 2021 towards achievement of an enabling environment for sustainable implementation of WPS commitments in Mozambique. One of the main milestones has been that UN Women has further expanded its collaboration with academic institutions in the reporting period. UN Women has been working with Joaquim Chissano University in the promotion of debates and reflections on contemporary WPS issues, in the elaboration of research on the gendered impact of the conflict and violent extremism in Northern Mozambique as well as the systematic capacity building of personnel from Government (including gender, security and defence sectors), CSOs and women-led organizations, academic institutions, and private sector through short-term in-depth trainings on WPS. Other key Milestones include: UN Women contributed to the increase in cross sector (Uniformed Sector, gender machinery, CSOs, academic Institutions) debates on WPS. This fostering public discussions, awareness raising and advocacy about the impact of violent extremism on the rights of women and girls and other emerging and relevant WPS issues as well as the urgency of responses in the short, medium and long term. Over 250 people were directly engaged in these public discussions and debates that highlighted with concrete evidence the disproportionately effect of growing insecurity and violence in Northern Mozambique. As result, UN Women has been contributing to echoing and raising the voices of the most vulnerable women and girls affected by conflict and humanitarian crises; calling for a greater response that adequately addresses their needs. In 2021, UN Women also undertook the role of co-facilitator of sub-group on WPS the Coalition of the Willing in Mozambique. 163 representatives of CS and women´s organizations increased their knowledge on conflict prevention, mediation and resolution. They were thought practical techniques for managing and resolving conflict at community and local levels. The leadership and technical strategies outlined in the training seek to support female gender equality activists to identify and improve their effective conflict resolution skills that improve community relationships; and in turn, foster their active participation in peace and security processes. 123 defence and security officials increased their knowledge of the WPS Agenda and enhanced their capacity to protect the human rights of vulnerable groups, especially women and children, in conflict and post-conflict contexts. Moreover, they gained knowledge of a range of mechanisms used to achieve redress for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law; fostering an environment for accountability mechanisms for conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence to be further enhanced. WPS training focused on the important role of female police and military officials in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building as well as the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security and contribution towards promotion of gender awareness in conflict prevention and early warning systems. 2,000 women and girls internally displaced in Cabo Delgado received critical humanitarian assistance. Women and girls internally displaced residing in resettlement centres in Chiúre and Balama districts due to the conflict and violence extremism received dignity kits . The distribution was done in collaboration with the Provincial Services of Social Affairs, a women´s rights organization (PROMURA), and the National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. UN Women has continued to provide financial and technical support to women’s organizations to organize forums and advocacy on WPS. For example, UN Women supported women-led civil society organizations to organize Solidarity Conference for women and girls internal displaced in Cabo Delgado. The solidarity conference brought together Government, CSOs, development partners, internally displaced people and academia to have vital in-depth discussions on the importance of women's participation in the processes of building and consolidating a solid and lasting peace, recognizing the related challenges and identifying additional strategies in order to overcome the challenges as well as a reflection of protection human rights and freedoms of women and girls in the context of increasing violence (including violent extremism, terrorism and armed conflict) in northern Mozambique. CS called for greater engagement by women's and civil society organizations in humanitarian support processes for internally displaced persons. Moreover, they called for great support for the socioeconomic recovery of women and girls internally displaced. As result of the conference, a position paper from women´s organizations was drafted detailing the urgent needs of women and immediate actions being called upon by women´s organizations. Developed and disseminated 5 knowledge products and advocacy materials on WPS, including: a Northern Mozambique Crisis Flash Appeal and a Study on the Gender-Responsive Root Causes and Drivers of the Conflict in Northern Mozambique and the Impact of the Conflict on the lives of Women.