Women are victimised by inequalities, violence and exclusion caused by machismo in Mozambique. Gender based violence (GBV) is still a wide-spread issue and traditional gender roles are limiting women to unpaid care work and household chores. Thus, their voice is severely under-represented.
The solution was to involve men and boys in the fight against gender-based violence: LeMuSiCa's girls groups also involve men and boys to sensitise them from an early age for gender equality and human rights and at the same time, they become aware of the fact that there is still a lot of discrimination against women.
LeMuSiCa is a Women's Organisation for Women, Girls and Children with the aim of contributing to improving the living conditions of women, children and youth affected by violence, discrimination and HIV/AIDS as well as fighting for women's rights and combating GBV.
LeMuSiCa first worked with women exclusively, but soon realised that change requires men's involvement. They experimented and came to realise that men are needed to achieve the goal of an equal society, where everybody has the same rights regardless of their gender, origin, race, religion, class etc.
LeMuSiCa (Levante-se Mulher e siga o seu caminho) means: Woman get up and go your way. It was founded in 1999 by a women's initiative in Chimoio, the capital of Manica province. Women, girls and boys affected by domestic violence and/or HIV find a place to go for professional counselling and support at LeMuSiCa. If necessary, those affected can also find accommodation here.