Violence Against Women and Girls in Public Spaces in Maputo: an Exploratory Study

Abstract

Violence against women and girls in the public space in Mozambique is poorly addressed and documented, but present in the daily lives of women. This article is based on an exploratory study that seeks to raise awareness of violence against women and girls in public space in Mozambique. The study was conducted in two densely populated municipal districts of the city of Maputo, namely KaMaxaquene and KaLhamankulu. The assessed sample represents 0.11% of the two districts. The participants were women (35%), girls (40%), boys (12.5%) and men (12.5%). A descriptive study of the data was performed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 17. Both women and girls (60%) reported having experienced violence in their lives. Streets and alleys are prone to violence due to poor public illumination and lack of effective/visible police presence. Unemployment, drug abuse and social norms are the most influencing factors for violence.

Keywords

• Women,Girls,Violence,Public spaces

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