Understanding gender-based violence (GBV) at four IFP campuses in Mozambique

• In Event: Strategies for studying and promoting gender equity in preservice teacher education in Mozambique

Proposal

In previous research from Mozambique, GBV has emerged as a direct result of women’s reduced social, economic, and political status when compared to men. That reduced status contributes to “a culture of silence and tendency to not take into consideration the seriousness of the negative consequences on women’s health” (Romão, Mabunda, Buque & Sama, 2009, p. 3). In the 2016 report Lessons from the Gender-based Violence Initiative in Mozambique by Gennari, Floriza, Harris-Sapp, Simmons, and Messner (2016), 37% of women ages 15-49 reported having experienced any form of GBV in their lives (including emotional, physical, or sexual violence), and 12% reported ever being forced to have sexual intercourse, 7% in the last 12 months (MISAU, INE, and ICFI 2011). Mozambique has the 10th highest rate of early marriage in the world, with 48% of women ages 20–24 reporting that they married before the age of 18 (Hodges 2015). Additionally, 19% of adolescent females reported forced sexual initiation (MISAU, INE, and ICFI 2011; Cruz, Domingos & Sabune 2014).

This paper discusses a current qualitative study of the tensions and gaps between what was known about gender-based violence and gender equality in Mozambique and what was reported particularly by students and directors at the IFPs in a 2015 baseline survey of GBV. For example, 98% of students in the original baseline survey indicated that they had no experience with gender-based violence which contradicts previously conducted research by Gennari, Floriza, Harris-Sapp, Simmons, and Messner (2016) that indicated 37% of women ages 15-49 reported having experienced any form of GBV in their lives (including emotional, physical, or sexual violence). Further, findings from the original baseline research suggested that when female students have issues with harassment, abuse, or violence (or even the need for female hygiene products), they do not have adequate female leader/role models from which they can turn. We will present initial findings from a follow up study of experiences of gender equality, gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health as well as sexual assault policy in four IFP campuses.

Authors

• Lisa J Starr, McGill University

• Heloisa Speranza Modesto, CODE

• Alcina Sitoe, Associação Progresso