The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), in coordination with the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), conducted training on Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESF), Gender, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH) on 9 and 10 July in the district of Angoche, Nampula province. The training is part of the activities of the Rural Resilience Project in Northern Mozambique (MozNorte), a joint effort of the Government of Mozambique and the World Bank.

The training was delivered to 35 beneficiaries from various organisations, including ANAC, the Environmental Protection Area of the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago (APAIPS), BIOFUND, WWF, representatives of formal service providers for GBV/SEA/SH, government institutions and partner organisations. The main objective was to strengthen the capacities of the project’s service provider at APAIPS (WWF) and stakeholders in implementing best environmental and social practices, with special attention to gender and GBV/SEA/SH issues. The initiative aims to ensure effective mitigation and response to GBV and SEA/SH risks, raising awareness and preparing project beneficiaries and APAIPS partners on protocols and mechanisms for supporting victims of violence.

Delivered in person, the training adopted a participatory approach that combined theoretical presentations with practical discussions, dynamics and reflection exercises. The approach included the joint development of concepts such as gender, inequalities, equity and equality, recognising the need for ongoing work to deconstruct and reinterpret these issues.

With this training, participants are expected to be better equipped to ensure good environmental and social practices, as well as to manage gender and GBV/SEA/SH issues. Additionally, the event provided an opportunity to establish synergies and collaboration among the different stakeholders.

This initiative underscores the continued commitment of BIOFUND and partner institutions to promoting community resilience, gender equality and the sustainable management of natural resources in northern Mozambique.