From 13 to 14 May 2024, a training session on Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS), Gender, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), and Sexual Harassment (SH) took place in the city of Maputo. The event aimed to build the capacity of staff from the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) and implementing agencies of various projects, including the technical team from MTA/ANAC.

The training featured a wide range of speakers from the World Bank, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Embassy of Sweden, Maputo City Health Services, Office for Assistance to the Family and Women Victims of Violence (GAFMVV), MUVA Association, Legal Aid and Sponsorship Institute (IPAJ), MIMAIP/ProAzul Mozambique, OXFAM, and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Action (MGCAS). With around 80 participants, the session explored and deepened understanding of environmental and social safeguards, as well as gender, GBV, and SEA/SH issues.

Luís Bernardo Honwana, Executive Director of BIOFUND, highlighted the importance of integrating Environmental, Social, and Gender Safeguards into the organization’s culture, recognizing this as a new paradigm. He emphasized that BIOFUND should be recognized not only for the results achieved through its programmes but also for its commitment to these safeguards.

The training saw high levels of engagement and interaction among participants and addressed the obligations of the Code of Conduct (CC), which promotes human rights without discrimination and enforces zero tolerance for abusive behavior. Discussions included the unequal division of labor, limited access to resources, and the exclusion of women from decision-making spaces.

IPAJ underlined the importance of referring victims of violence for medical evaluation and legal assistance, especially in cases of domestic violence. In Mozambique, the prevalence of violence against women and children was discussed, stressing the need to protect all vulnerable groups. Statistics show that 37% of Mozambican women and girls experience physical or sexual violence, and one in four children between the ages of 15 and 19 has been a victim of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.

This training reaffirms the commitment of BIOFUND and its partners to promoting a safe and respectful work environment that protects and values the dignity of all employees. Furthermore, it aims to foster an organizational culture that prioritizes sensitivity and prevention of GBV and SEA/SH, respect for human rights, and gender equality contributing to sustainable development and social justice in Mozambique.