Mozambique National Women's Day

In Mozambique, Women's Day is a national holiday observed on April 7th. This year’s celebration was different because of the pandemic, but women were able to celebrate in their homes and engage in online programs provided by different social institutions.

It is known as a National Women’s Day because this day marks the anniversary of Josina Muthemba Machel's death on April 7, 1971. Josina was a key figure in the struggle for the emancipation of African women and specifically, Mozambican. When she was 19 she fled Mozambique to join the Mozambican Liberation Front (FRELIMO) in Tanzania and always showed her desire to see Mozambique gain independence. She was a brave and strong advocate of the participation of women in the liberation struggle, and she was an icon for the Women's Movement of Mozambique.

In 1969, she married Samora Machel, who later became the first President of Mozambique in 1975 and she died at the age of 25. The anniversary of her death has been marked by National Women's Day since 1972.

Every year on April 7, events are held across the country to celebrate what has already been achieved in terms of gender equality, and also to remind Mozambicans that there is still a long way to go.

Challenges remain in the fight against poverty, in the search for equal rights and opportunities for all and in Mozambique it is believed that only with valued and dignified women will it be possible to move forward. The participation of Mozambican women in various spheres of political, economic and social life has become increasingly more possible, something that is nationally and internationally appreciated.

Women spend this day performing different cultural activities in their communities and groups, visit and deposit flowers on the Heroes Monument, they sing, dance and above all, share traditional food around the country and various exhibitions, especially with the “capulana”, making traditional attires and performing in fashion shows. During this month, different workshops are held for women in various areas of development to show how women are strong and how they can contribute to the development of the country.