Understanding the Gender and Inclusion Landscape in Mozambique

This country profile provides a clear picture of Mozambique’s current status on gender and inclusion in science, technology, and innovation (STI). Produced by the Human Sciences Research Council as part of the SGCI Gender and Inclusivity Project, it highlights the country’s progress, challenges, and opportunities for more inclusive development.

Key Focus Areas

The report explores the barriers women and marginalised groups face across several areas, including:

• Education and career pathways
• Access to research funding
• Representation in STEM fields
• Social and cultural norms
• STI policy and governance

It also draws on global indices like the Gender Inequality Index and the Global Gender Gap Index to show how Mozambique compares regionally and globally.

What the Data Shows

Mozambique has taken positive steps. For example:

• Women hold 42% of parliamentary seats.
• Female labour force participation is nearly equal to that of men.
• Gender gaps in school enrolment are closing at the primary level.

However, challenges remain:

• Women represent only 26% of academic staff in higher education.
• Only 35% of the country’s researchers are women.
• Deep-rooted gender norms still limit girls’ education and career choices.

Gaps and Recommendations

The report finds that while Mozambique has gender equality policies, weak implementation and poor data collection limit their effectiveness. To strengthen gender and inclusion in STI, it recommends:

• Improving gender data collection across research systems
• Promoting women’s advancement in academia and research
• Embedding gender in grant-making and STI policies
• Addressing harmful social norms through education and mentoring

Moving Forward

By addressing these issues and adopting an intersectional approach, Mozambique can better harness its full human potential. The report serves as both a call to action and a roadmap for more inclusive and equitable STI development.