CESC Champions Women’s Voices in Mozambique’s National Dialogue, Forging Path for Gender-Inclusive Reform
In a significant stride toward inclusive governance, Mozambique’s Civil Society Learning and Capacity Building Centre (CESC) has taken up the mantle to ensure women’s perspectives become integral to the country’s ongoing National Inclusive Dialogue. The organization has positioned itself at the forefront of what many are calling a groundbreaking initiative to weave gender considerations into the fabric of national reform discussions.
A Partnership for Progress
The momentum solidified on Wednesday, May 29th, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between CESC, represented by its Board Chairperson Fernanda Teixeira, and the Technical Commission of the National Inclusive Dialogue (COTE), led by Chairman Edson Macuácua. This formal partnership marks a critical juncture in Mozambique’s democratic journey—one that acknowledges the indispensable role women play in shaping the nation’s future.
“One of our primary concerns was determining the most appropriate model to incorporate women’s participation in the dialogue,” revealed Macuácua during the signing ceremony. “Today, it appears we have found that model. Women bear the most visible face of the problems affecting our country. As COTE, we would have limitations in capturing all the sensitivities of women, so we thank CESC for ensuring women’s inclusion and representation.”
Beyond Token Representation: The ALIADAS Program in Action
At the heart of this initiative lies the ALIADAS program, a dedicated effort to promote women’s rights and gender equality. Through this framework, CESC and COTE will collaborate to facilitate both national and regional women’s consultation events. These gatherings aim to capture women’s opinions, contributions, and perspectives regarding the ten key reform themes under discussion in the national dialogue.
But how does this translate from paper to practice? The strategy extends far beyond conventional consultation methods. The program includes regular meetings between female COTE members and women from civil society working groups to ensure continuous feedback throughout the dialogue stages. Additionally, the initiative will produce analytical documents examining challenges specifically facing Mozambican women—documents that will be thoroughly discussed and refined in thematic meetings with women from different provinces and interest groups before submission to COTE.
Building a Coalition for Change
The success of such an ambitious undertaking relies on robust collaboration. CESC has mobilized strategic partnerships with several key organizations, including UN Women, MASC Foundation, the Civil Society Forum for Children’s Rights (ROSC), and the Foundation for Community Development (FDC). These partners will provide crucial technical and financial resources to fuel the initiative.
The implementation structure demonstrates remarkable organizational depth. Forum Mulher will coordinate national events, while provincial forums—including the Forum of Women’s Organizations of Niassa (FOFeN), the Nucleus of Women’s Organizations of Zambézia (NAFEZA), the Forum of Women’s Associations of Inhambane (FAFI), and the Nucleus of Women’s Associations of Tete (NAFET)—will energize provincial meetings.
Amplifying Diverse Voices
What makes this approach particularly innovative is its commitment to capturing the full spectrum of women’s experiences. The initiative deliberately reaches beyond traditional civil society circles to include young people in academia through the Union for Student Development (UNDE), along with women participating in both the formal and informal economy, media professionals, and academic scholars.
This comprehensive approach addresses a fundamental question: Can any national dialogue truly be inclusive if it fails to incorporate the perspectives of those most affected by policy decisions? For Ivone Soares, a COTE member, the answer is clear.
“We have only two years to complete this process,” Soares noted, “and it wouldn’t be possible for COTE alone to conduct a more inclusive and comprehensive consultation. Therefore, we appreciate CESC’s willingness to participate in this process, supporting the collection of perspectives and sensitivities of Mozambican women regarding the themes under discussion.”
From Consultation to Concrete Action
The ultimate measure of this initiative’s success will be its tangible impact on policy outcomes. COTE bears the responsibility of integrating women’s contributions into the final documents proposed for approval—a commitment that transforms the process from mere consultation to genuine incorporation.
Fernanda Teixeira, CESC’s President, emphasized the critical importance of this aspect. She reiterated the necessity of incorporating a gender-sensitive approach throughout the National Inclusive Dialogue—one that considers the multiple factors making certain groups of women particularly vulnerable. Her argument resonates with gender equality advocates nationwide: political reforms must foster a more just and equitable environment where all women can have their voices heard and their needs addressed.
A Model for Inclusive Governance?
As Mozambique continues its journey toward comprehensive national dialogue, the CESC-led initiative offers a potential blueprint for other nations grappling with similar challenges. By creating dedicated spaces for women’s participation, establishing clear implementation mechanisms, and ensuring diverse representation, the model demonstrates how gender inclusion can move from abstract principle to operational reality.
The coming months will reveal how effectively women’s collected perspectives translate into substantive policy reforms. But one thing is already clear: the deliberate effort to mainstream gender considerations in Mozambique’s national dialogue represents a significant advancement in the country’s democratic development—one that acknowledges that sustainable progress requires the participation of all citizens, regardless of gender.
As these consultation processes unfold across provinces, they carry the promise of a more inclusive political future for Mozambique—one where women’s concerns aren’t merely heard but fundamentally shape the nation’s trajectory.