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An interview with members of the Ngalane Relocation Site Women's Committee
IOM’s CCCM Programme, with the generous support of The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Embassy of Ireland in Mozambique, sets up Women’s Committees in displacement sites, aimed towards the empowerment of women and their engagement within camp management, increasing their participation in decision-making processes, and tackling the various problems faced by women through awareness raising, support and case referral to protection, health, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) or CCCM services.
In 2021, CCCM created the Women’s Committee in Ngalane Relocation Site (Metuge, Cabo Delgado) and the women have shared their experience as members of the Committee.
“We are the representatives of all the women of Ngalane and that is a big responsibility, but also a source of pride. We visit women, girls, elderly, pregnant women... in their homes and we make sure that every voice is heard”, shared Julieta Mustafa.
“GBV is a scourge in society. I am proud to be doing my bit in Ngalane, offering support to women and shouting out loud that while it is unfortunately commonplace, it is not normal or tolerable”, says Safina Ali.
With valour these women managed to flee insecurity in the Cabo Delgado region and their sacrifice has been great. Throughout 2020, they had to gradually abandon their villages, homes, crops, and belongings; detachment from friends, neighbours, and family; abandon their lives in Quissanga district and start again. Unfortunately, the vulnerability towards women remains unchanged. In Ngalane Relocation Site, where they were relocated together with their families, they again encountered lack of gender representation, girls dropping out of school due of early marriage and other factors faced by women and girls.
Ensuring meaningful participation of all groups of a displaced population in decision making processes in camp governance structures is an essential pillar of good camp management. Only when all groups’ voices are heard and considered, the assistance provided to them will be given considering these needs, capacities, and expectations. IOM’s CCCM Programme aims to provide platforms to support groups of people that otherwise may not get the same opportunity to engage and contribute to decision-making.
“Being a member of the committee has allowed me to voice my concerns, participate in community decision-making processes and support other women”, states Katarina Xavier.
"Only through awareness-raising is it possible to create an end to Gender Based Violence (GBV) and create the basis for peace and respect in society”, supports Julieta Apadre.
