CONTEXTUAL FACTORS UNDERLYING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN MOZAMBIQUE

1.       BY: Celma Elizabeth Menezes

             (Feedback comment on the article Homen Sem Escrúpulos é uma vergonha)

I think that the root causes of cases of violence against women, should be analyzed from an ideological, traditional, societal viewpoints coupled with patriarchal processes and tendencies to help us understanding the rationale and justification for the problem. Masculinity built on traditional values have the potential to influence negatively women's & girl’s lives.

The kind of bold and assertive behavior that men tend to exhibit in all spheres of Mozambican  society create major problems including in their relationship with Women. According to Mozambican traditional male gender norms, men are encouraged to equate a range of harmful behaviors—such as using violence, having tough sex & dominating women—with being manly.  I personally think that this is exactly the kind of attitude that leads to the increasing number of sexual & physical assaults perpetrated against women & girls all over Mozambique.

As far as this particular case is concerned, I believe that other concurrent factors outside  traditions, male authority, need for power & control may have contributed to the manner this crime was committed. It seems to me that this case embraces multidimensional factors including Personality Types and therefore cannot be defined narrowly. Men with certain personality character are more inclined to commit violence than other Men. 

There are personality disorders that are considered as high risks for women battering such as the Antisocial Personality widely known as Psychopath. Whatever the case, this was a violent act & justice must be made.

There was another case of violence, that was reported on the Mozambican TV channel Soico yesterday Septembers 22th, 2010. This was the case of boy who fatally hit his father in order to prevent his father from physically abusing her mother.  

The Proposed Solution: "A New Approach to an Old Problem"

In order to effectively address the age old problem of all forms of violence against women, it is important to utilize a somewhat neglected strategy that has long evaded mankind. That is, the involvement of Men and Boys into the solution process.

Since Men and Boys are the main perpetrators of the violence committed against women, understanding their rationale and justification for such acts should guide interventions to address the problem.

But How? What Does It Entails?

I would like to share with you all some of the ideas I have & which I was able to acquire through my first hand experience in the area of Gender & Men & Boys Approaches, and that I believe can be readily implemented towards fighting GBV and ultimately creating a more safe & healthy society in the years to come:

1.       Addressing the socialization of Men and Boys: I think that this process should focus mainly on addressing the socialization of Men and Boys by challenging and deconstructing harmful stereotypes around what it means to be "real men" whilst promoting more equitable behaviors among men (Husbands, Boyfriends, Fathers, Brothers, Uncles, Male Friends, etc) away from attitudes and behaviors that undermines Women & Girls status in society.

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2.       Commit to sustainable funding: Very common One-Two-Three years funding cycles are a significant challenge for creating & sustaining positive social normative transformation. I would like to recommend that additional resources be allocated or secured through donors such as US Government, UN Agencies (eg: UNIFEM & UNFPA), Norway Embassy as well as other donors to adequately support Mozambican Civil Society Organizations (mostly grassroots alliances & groups)  and other key stakeholders in addressing harmful gender norms as a strategy for GBV prevention.

3.       Fully engagement of Government Institutions & donors: I think that creative and persistent efforts to involve government bodies such as Ministry of Women & Social Action; Education & Culture; Health are necessary to ensure that Men & Boys engagement  work is seen as legitimate, important and as an investment for the future. Unless Men & Boys Perspective is on government agenda we will not be  able to ensuring the effective and long-term sustainability of male engagement work. That sustainability is also subjected to donor funding commitment to  I also think that the commitment and full participation of grassroots organizations & crucial partners such as  donors & governments bodies is critical

I think that donors institutions could make an active role in this task. An example of donor’s full engagement could be mandating their core partners to build their capacity on gender strategies & therefore support that through funding.

4.       Conduct comprehensive formative research: Since different parts of Mozambique are very diverse in terms of traditions, culture & gender roles, I think that it is really important to conduct comprehensive formative research to look at gender norms generally, identify important regional and ethnic differences within the country, and start to understand the specific links between violence against women and gender norms particular to each Mozambican setting. I am aware of certain studies have been conducted in Mozambique but I feel that more comprehensive research should be carried out to capture new gender patterns since these are dynamics and have the potential to change over time. I understand that formative research requires time, financial resources, skills & knowledge up front. However, qualitative data is vital to inform programming & other appropriate strategies for effective interventions for Men & Boys.

5.       Dissemination of the Law on Domestic violence: Since we already have a Law (which I see it as a great achievement) on Domestic Violence criminalizing acts of this kind, I would like to recommend all the readers; members of HOPEM; UN agencies (UNIFEM & UNFPA), civil society groups to increase their support in efforts aimed at disseminating the New Law so that all Mozambican society can be informed about this Law that was designated to protect Mozambican women. I think that this action could be materialized either through funding or provision of training to grassroots organizations on ways to better disseminate & interpret  the law to the communities that they serve.

6.       Strengthen the national advocacy efforts: I think that HOPEM could play an active role in this task by recruiting additional member organizations nationwide so that it can work as an effective in- country advocacy resource for engaging men in fighting all forms of violence against women.

Well these are some of thoughts I had & felt would be useful to share with you all, so that together we help shape a society where Women & Girls are protected, respected and are entitled to the same rights and opportunities as Men & boys.