UN Women supports the implementation of Zebra Model in Mozambique

UN Women Mozambique delivered a presentation to participants of the 3-day conference on Civil Society organizations, provincial and local governments represented by female mayors and governors and the country´s executive through the ministry of State Administration held a 3-day Conference in Maputo the capital of Mozambique for an exchange of experience on the implementation of recommendations of 39th summit of Southern Africa Development Community, SADC heads of States held in 2019.

During the conference UN Women Mozambique delivered a presentation to participants of the Zebra Model aimed to increase and improve the participation of women who are party members in the structures and leadership of their parties and also as candidates for parliament.

“The Zebra model has been a solution to several issues such as some related to quality of participation, legitimacy or not of people particular women assuming positions based in quotas” said Ondina da Barca, UN Women Program Specialist, delivering the presentation. 

The Zebra model is all about rotation in order to guarantee that regardless of the adopted systems, women and men have equal opportunities, it increases the probability of equal representation and reinforces the principle of equal rights in equal circumstances and no discrimination.In representation of the State Administration Ministry, the Permanent Secretariat highlighted the exemplary position of Mozambique in the region in the executive and legislative levels regarding to the gender equality and women’s empowerment.

“This year we have 42.2 per cent of women in the assembly of the republic, 45.4 per cent of ministers at the executive level, 54.5 per cent of State Secretaries at the provincial level and we also have 30 per cent of governors at the provincial level, nevertheless, we want more, the reason why this conference will drive to a positioning for the implementation of the Zebra model” said the Permanent Secretary, Claudina Mazalo.

UN Women in Mozambique partnered with the Multi-Party Institute, Gender Link, Forum Mulher (Women´s Network) and the CSO’s Platform known as “Sala da Paz” (the Peace Room), has supported the establishment of a Gender Observatory Mechanism during the 2019 general elections. The “Sala da Paz” is a platform created in 2014 to monitor elections and it has been one of the biggest sources and references for people and stakeholders on elections of Mozambique.  The representation of women from the three major political party was well attended with 44% women delegates from Frelimo party, 29% women delegates from Renamo and 33% women delegates from MDM.