On a visit to Mozambique last week, Swedish Minister of International Development Cooperation, Peter Eriksson, visited the Mandrusi resettlement center, 40 minutes from Beira city, Sofala province. At the site for victims of Cyclone Idai, last Thursday (23 May) he visited, the 'Women-Friendly Space' and the protection desk, both implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Peter spoke with UNFPA activists, beneficiaries and experts about the implementation of activities after the region was affected by the cyclone that left more than 600 dead on 14 March. More than 1.8 million people have been affected, including about 74,000 pregnant women.
'Women-Friendly Spaces' are places dedicated to all women and girls living in resettlement centers where they can feel physically and emotionally secure to talk about sexual and reproductive health and where they can develop and learn skills that could help their livelihood. In Mandruzi, for example, there are crocheting and hair-braiding classes. The protection tent has social workers trained by UNFPA to receive complaints and report cases of abuse within the community. Since it was installed a month ago, the protection office, which has integrated services with the police, has registered two cases of violence against women.
