🌍 Empowering Women Amid Crisis: Norway and UNFPA Sign USD 2.8 Million Agreement for Mozambique
MAPUTO, Mozambique — July 10, 2025
The Government of Norway and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have announced the launch of a new, three-year phase of a critical initiative aimed at protecting and empowering women and girls affected by ongoing conflict and displacement in northern Mozambique.
The announcement came today as both parties signed a renewed agreement at the Norwegian Embassy in Maputo, reaffirming their shared commitment to gender equality and inclusive recovery in the country’s most vulnerable districts. The programme will be supported by a grant of USD 2.8 million (approximately 180 million Meticais) from the Government of Norway.
🔁 Building on Proven Impact: Phase Two of a Vital Lifeline
This new phase builds upon the success of the previous programme, which reached over 100,000 women and girls across Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa provinces. With conflict continuing to displace communities and strain essential services, the next phase of the initiative comes at a critical juncture.
The first phase offered a broad array of life-saving services, including:
Antenatal and postnatal care
Family planning and emergency obstetric referrals
Mobile health outreach to remote communities
Psychosocial support for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV)
Training of hundreds of health workers
Creation of safe spaces for women and girls
Engagement of boys and young men in gender equality education
💬 “This Is About Restoring Hope and Dignity”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms. Sissel Idland, Head of Cooperation at the Norwegian Embassy, emphasized Norway’s deep commitment to the rights of women and girls, particularly in crisis-affected regions.
“This work is about more than delivering services,” said Ms. Idland. “It is about restoring hope, agency, and safety to those who have lost so much. It is about investing in a future where every woman and girl has the power to make decisions about her body and her life — free from violence and fear.”
🏥 Strengthening Systems for Long-Term Resilience
This new programme will not only respond to immediate needs but will also invest in building resilient systems and inclusive communities. Key components include:
Reinforcement of health systems and emergency referral pathways
Expansion of youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services
Support for GBV survivors with case management, psychosocial care, legal assistance, and vocational training
Inclusive programming for persons with disabilities
This integrated approach ensures that both displaced populations and host communities benefit from strengthened public services and lasting support structures.
🔗 A Model of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus
The partnership between Norway and UNFPA exemplifies the humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) nexus — a coordinated strategy that links emergency assistance with sustainable development and peacebuilding efforts.
“Too many women and girls in northern Mozambique continue to face the compounded impacts of conflict, displacement, and inequality,” said Ms. Nélida Rodrigues, UNFPA Representative in Mozambique. “This renewed partnership is part of a comprehensive approach that restores dignity and strengthens resilience. Together, we are building a future where rights, health, and safety are a reality for all.”
📍 Aligned with National Priorities for Recovery and Inclusion
The initiative aligns closely with Mozambique’s national strategies for recovery and resilience, especially in the conflict-affected northern provinces. It also reflects a shared vision between international partners and national authorities: that crisis response must not only meet urgent needs but also lay the groundwork for sustainable, inclusive development.
🤝 Norway’s Broader Commitment in Mozambique
Norway has long been a key partner in Mozambique’s development, especially in areas of education, health, gender equality, and peacebuilding. The country remains a vocal supporter of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, working closely with UN agencies, civil society organizations, and local governments to empower women as leaders of recovery and peace.
In regions like Cabo Delgado, Norway’s continued investments are transforming the lives of women and girls — by expanding access to lifesaving care, promoting community cohesion, and strengthening local leadership.
🧡 About UNFPA in Mozambique
UNFPA, the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, works globally and in Mozambique to ensure every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person can reach their full potential. Through partnerships with governments and local actors, UNFPA supports the delivery of sexual and reproductive health services, youth empowerment, and the collection and use of population data to inform policy and planning.
🕊️ A Shared Vision for a Safer, Healthier Future
With the launch of this new programme phase, the Government of Norway and UNFPA reaffirm their shared vision: a Mozambique where no woman or girl is left behind — in health, in protection, or in dignity.
This partnership brings critical hope and healing to communities in crisis, setting a strong foundation for long-term peace and inclusive development.