The war on women in Mozambique: health consequences of South African destabilization, economic crisis, and structural adjustment
Cliff, J.
Women and health in Africa: 15-33
1991
Document Number: 343251
The article describes the war on women in Mozambique and the impact of destabilization and structural adjustment on women's health in rural and urban areas. It looks at a nation under a double attack: on one side, an internationally financed army of bandits wreaks havoc on the economic and social infrastructure and destroys the society's psychological and physical security. On the other side, international organizations dictate fiscal policies which further undermine health and educational services. RENAMO (Mozambique National Resistance) and the International Monetary Fund are symbols of a deeper crisis engendered partly by South Africa's economic, political and military destabilization policies and partly by the critical state of African economies. After independence, Mozambicans saw advances in women's health care. The primary health care network expanded rapidly and trained many women health workers. The result was better access to basic health services for increasing numbers of women, especially in rural areas. Since 1982, women's health has suffered as South African destabilization has forced the closure of peripheral maternity units and disrupted rural life. As part of a structural adjustment programme introduced in 1987, the government has increased health service charges and withdrawn food subsidies. The conditions now for women's health are peace, food security and gainful employment; it is vital that adjustment programmes consider their needs and capacities.