The community of 2nd Congresso, located in Sanga district, Niassa province, has been hosting since September 22nd the 1st GALS Seminar (Gender Action Learning System), bringing together 40 participants (15 women and 25 men). The initiative is promoted by the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), in partnership with the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) and Helvetas Mozambique, with funding from the World Bank. Its main goal is to strengthen gender equity and transform social norms within local communities.

On the first day, participants engaged in socialization and trust-building dynamics, followed by an introduction to GALS tools such as the Identity Diamond and the Gender Justice Diamond.

• The Identity Diamond encouraged reflection on perceptions and expectations associated with men and women, helping to deconstruct limiting social norms.
• The Gender Justice Diamond promoted debate on equality and equity, highlighting that non-biological inequalities are the result of social constructions that affect community harmony and well-being.

These activities helped identify everyday gender barriers and define behavioral changes that strengthen social justice.

The GALS methodology is applied to reinforce family and community capacities, transform social norms, and promote gender equity, drawing on experiences already implemented in Mozambique by several institutions.

The seminar is part of the actions of the Mozambique North Rural Resilience Project (MozNorte), which aims to improve access to livelihood opportunities for vulnerable communities and promote the sustainable management of natural resources in rural areas of northern Mozambique.