The most comprehensive compilation of information on the status of
women in the world.

Latest items for Mozambique

Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: PW-LAW-1

“However, in some countries like South Africa, while the statutory laws provide for monogamy, customary and religious laws still allow for polygamy. Another example is Côte d’Ivoire which abolished polygamy in 1964 while still recognizing the rights of those in polygamous marriages, and yet there are still polygamous marriages that occur in the country. In Mozambique, the prohibition of polygamy only applies to civil marriages, and to religious and traditional marriages duly transcribed in the civil registry, and therefore leaves a void when it comes to women in religious and traditional marriages whose marriages are not registered with the civil registry” (12). “(i) Polygamy: While Article 18 of the Family...more
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: MARR-PRACTICE-5

“Article 119 of the Constitution states that ‘[t]he law shall establish forms in which traditional and religious marriage shall be esteemed, and determine the registration requirements and effects of such marriage’. Article 17 of the Family Law Act No. 22/2019 recognises civil, religious and traditional marriages and this extends to de facto marriages” (63). “(i) Polygamy: While Article 18 of the Family Code prohibits polygamy, its provisions only apply to civil marriages and to religious and traditional marriages duly transcribed in the civil registry. This provision leaves a void when it comes to women in religious and traditional marriages whose marriages are not registered with the civil registry” (64).more
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: MARR-LAW-5

"In most countries studied for this Report, there are pluralistic legal systems where statutory laws live side by side with customary and religious laws. Some of them, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Sudan, and The Gambia, protect this legal pluralism through their constitutions. However, countries such as Kenya issue the caveat that these other systems are recognised as long as they are consistent with the Constitution. Countries such as Ethiopia have a plural legal system, religious and customary law is significantly constrained by legislative and constitutional provisions" (8). “Countries like Angola, Malawi, and Mozambique protect women the most since they recognise marriage by reputation,...more
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: MARR-LAW-2

“Countries like Angola, Malawi, and Mozambique protect women the most since they recognise marriage by reputation, cohabitation, or de facto marriages, in addition to customary and religious marriages. The same applies for Cameroon and Egypt where marriages do not have to be registered to have legal effect” (9).
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: MARR-LAW-1

“Since the Maputo Protocol, that clearly prohibits marriage under the age of 18, was adopted, many of the countries studied have engaged in law reforms. Some of them, such as Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and The Gambia have an absolute ban on marriage under the age of 18. Despite the legal ban, child marriage is still prevalent in some of these countries and more needs to be done to sensitise communities on the law and the dangers of child marriage; and to address the root causes of child marriage” (9).
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: LRCM-LAW-2

“While countriessuch as Mozambique expressly prohibit marital rape, there is a gap when it comes to criminalisation of marital rape in countries such as Algeria, Malawi, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania and The Gambia, which leads to violations of women’s equality, dignity, and bodily autonomy” (13). “In 2009, the government adopted a Domestic Violence Law that prohibits violence against women, including marital rape” (63).
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: IAW-PRACTICE-1

“In many countries,women are now entitled to equal inheritance rights. Male primogeniture has been declared unconstitutional in countries such as Botswana and Kenya. Law reform has also seen the equal inheritance of women prescribed in constitutions and statutory succession legislations in countries such as in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, and The Gambia” (16). “(iii) Inheritance: Articles 66 and 2133 of the Civil Code provide for equal inheritance of surviving spouses, sons and daughters. Moreover, Articles 10 and 15 Law No 19/97 on Land provide that men and women have a right to inheritance regardless of their gender. However, Article 12 acts as a potential clawback clause...more
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: IAW-LAW-1

“In many countries,women are now entitled to equal inheritance rights. Male primogeniture has been declared unconstitutional in countries such as Botswana and Kenya. Law reform has also seen the equal inheritance of women prescribed in constitutions and statutory succession legislations in countries such as in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, and The Gambia” (16).
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: AOM-PRACTICE-1, AOM-LAW-1

“(ii) Child marriage: Article 30 of the Family Law Act Law No. 22/2019 sets the legal age of marriage for both men and women at 18 years with no exceptions. As a general rule, only people over eighteen years of age can get married, in accordance with Article 30, paragraph 1, a) of the Family Law. Exceptionally, a man and a woman over sixteen years of age can get married when there are circumstances of recognised public and family interest and when there is the consent of the parents or legal representatives” (64).
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: ATC-DATA-1

"21 April 1997" (63).
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: ATC-DATA-2

"None" (63).
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: ATC-DATA-5

"African Charter 22 February 1989 and Maputo Protocol 9 December 2005" (63).
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: ATDW-PRACTICE-1

Women and men have equal rights to petition for divorce in countries such as Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Mozambique, and Senegal” (14).
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: ATDW-PRACTICE-2

“Articles 179 and 193 provide that all men and women have equal rights to initiate and finalise a divorce or annulment” (63).
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: CLCW-PRACTICE-1

“Article 119 presents the family as the ‘fundamental unit and basis of society’. It further provides that free consent must be the basis of marriages. Both parents can pass down their Mozambican citizenship to their children” (63).
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: CUST-LAW-1

“Increasingly reformed Children’s Acts now ensure guardianship rights for both parents, whether married or unmarried, a presumption of joint, shared custody and the child’s right to know and be cared for by both biological parents. This goes a long way to ensuring equality in parental relations, as required by the Maputo Protocol. Such countries are Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Senegal” (15). “Articles 318 and 322 of the Family Law Act No.22/2019 provide that both parents have parental authority over their children during marriage or de facto union and in the event of divorce, separation, marriage annulment or termination of a de...more
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: DTCP-LAW-1

"In most countries studied for this Report, there are pluralistic legal systems where statutory laws live side by side with customary and religious laws. Some of them, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, South Sudan, and The Gambia, protect this legal pluralism through their constitutions. However, countries such as Kenya issue the caveat that these other systems are recognised as long as they are consistent with the Constitution. Countries such as Ethiopia have a plural legal system, religious and customary law is significantly constrained by legislative and constitutional provisions" (8). “Countries like Angola, Malawi, and Mozambique protect women the most since they recognise marriage by reputation,...more
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: DTCP-PRACTICE-1

“Article 119 of the Constitution states that ‘[t]he law shall establish forms in which traditional and religious marriage shall be esteemed, and determine the registration requirements and effects of such marriage’. Article 17 of the Family Law Act No. 22/2019 recognises civil, religious and traditional marriages and this extends to de facto marriages” (63).
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: DV-PRACTICE-1

“There have been notable reforms of laws on violence against women since the expansion of international legal standards for the protection of women from violence. In countries such as Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria and The Gambia, there are extensive legislative steps to combat violence against women. Botswana has gone a step further and has established special courts to increase the speed of the State’s response to violence against women” (13).
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: IAD-PRACTICE-1

“(iii) Inheritance: Articles 66 and 2133 of the Civil Code provide for equal inheritance of surviving spouses, sons and daughters. Moreover, Articles 10 and 15 Law No 19/97 on Land provide that men and women have a right to inheritance regardless of their gender. However, Article 12 acts as a potential clawback clause since it provides that land inheritance must be in line with customary and traditional practices, although these must not be against the Constitution which includes equality on the basis of sex” (64).
Aug. 20, 2026, 2:01 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: CONST-LAW-1

“Article 11(5) of the 2004 Constitution of Mozambique establishes ‘the defence and promotion of human rights and of the equality of citizens before the law’. To reflect this, Article 35 on the principles of universality, provides for equality of citizens and non-discrimination on the basis of, amongst others, sex. Article 36 on principles of equality further provides that ‘[m]en and women shall be equal before the lawin all spheres of political, economic, social and cultural life’. Article 39 goes a step further and provides that discrimination on the basis of sex, amongst others, undermines national unity and creates division and is punishable by law. Article 122 of the Constitution specifically...more
June 10, 2026, 11:04 p.m.
Countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma/Myanmar, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Rep, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote D'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, D R Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad/Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Variables: LRW-LAW-4

Given the following documentation, there is no exoneration in the law allowing an individual accused of rape to have their criminal charges dismissed or overturned by subsequently marrying the victim. However, it should be noted that this only accounts for the legal framework and now what societal pressures may be in practice (ERD - CODER COMMENT).more
Feb. 12, 2026, 3:52 a.m.
Countries: Albania, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burma/Myanmar, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Cote D'Ivoire, Ecuador, Estonia, France, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Mozambique, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Togo, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam
Variables: DV-SCALE-1

2
Jan. 29, 2026, 9:44 p.m.
Countries: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cameroon, Central African Rep, Chad, Chile, D R Congo, Egypt, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Vanuatu
Variables: LO-SCALE-3

3
Jan. 29, 2026, 9:43 p.m.
Countries: Algeria, Argentina, Burma/Myanmar, Cameroon, Central African Rep, Chad, Chile, Congo, D R Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iran, Israel, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Taiwan, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Yemen
Variables: LO-SCALE-2

1
Jan. 29, 2026, 9:38 p.m.
Countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Azerbaijan, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Rep, Chad, Chile, Cote D'Ivoire, D R Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Variables: LO-SCALE-1

2
Jan. 20, 2026, 1:13 a.m.
Countries: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan
Variables: ABO-SCALE-1

1
Dec. 10, 2025, 12:51 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: DV-DATA-1

According to Annex 10, "National prevalence estimates of lifetime and past-12-months physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence against women aged 15-49 years, 2023" the average lifetime point estimate % for Mozambique in 2023 was 24.4%.
Nov. 8, 2025, 10:25 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: ABO-LAW-1

"Mozambique has one of Africa’s most liberal abortion laws, allowing abortion on request during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and up to 24 weeks in limited circumstances, including fetal abnormality. Though abortion has been legal since 2014, many people still face obstacles to accessing this care, including stigma, misinformation, and corruption, such as charging for services that should be free" (para 1).
Nov. 3, 2025, 1:49 p.m.
Countries: Mozambique
Variables: ABO-LAW-1

The Center for Reproductive Rights states that Mozambique's laws permit abortion on request, with a 12 week gestational limit.