The United Nations Secretary-General's representative in Mozambique, Mirko Manzoni, and the resident coordinator, Myrta Kaulard, congratulated the government for working towards gender parity in the Executive structure.

The structural reshuffle carried out in March has allowed a balance between men and women to be installed among the country's Ministers.

"Achieving gender parity in the Council of Ministers is a historic milestone," the UN officials noted, saying it is "reflective of the broader work to promote equality" and women's empowerment.

In the 22 member ministers of the Government - including the Prime Minister - there are 11 men and 11 women.

Globally, only one fifth of ministerial positions are held by women, Mirko Manzoni and Myrta Kaulard point out.

Mozambique joins "a group of only 14 countries that have achieved gender parity at this level and is the third country in Africa to have 50% or more women in ministerial positions."

The two leaders also recall that parity had been a promise made by Nyusi in 2021, on Mozambican Women's Day, a holiday celebrated on April 7.

Official statistics and those of international organizations present Mozambique with several challenges: one in four Mozambican women is a victim of gender-based violence during her lifetime, and about half of all Mozambican girls are married or in a union before the age of 18.