Beyond Tradition: Women Redefine Work and Empowerment Through Sanitation

By Álvaro Malamba, Communication and Advocacy Coordinator 

Just over a year after the introduction of the Sanitation Marketing approach in the districts of Guijá and Mabalane in Gaza province, it is no longer surprising to see women stacking bricks, mixing cement, and participating in activities once considered solely male-dominated.

Gilda Chaúque is one of many women who have found a new lease of life through Sanitation Marketing. The initiative, which involves women in the construction of conventional latrines, challenges deeply entrenched norms that associate this activity with men. Raised in an environment where construction work was reserved for men, Gilda never imagined she would one day be involved in building projects.

 “In fact, I never believed I could do this work,” Gilda admits with a proud smile. “Now I know I’m capable.”

Gilda is just one example of many women who have found new opportunities through Sanitation Marketing. The initiative not only provides a livelihood for these women but also empowers them to directly contribute to improving sanitation in their communities, where open defecation remains a pressing issue.

“I often tell other women that if they can hold a hoe in the fields, they can certainly hold a spade or even a pen,” says Graciete Machava, one of the project’s artisans, firmly gripping a spade. “We are capable.”

This strength and determination have transformed Gilda, Graciete, and many others into role models in their communities, inspiring other women to challenge the cultural barriers that limit their growth and opportunities. They are living proof that work does not define gender, courage and the will to change do. As Helton Manovene, WASH Officer at World Vision, put it:

 "They are no less women than others, the difference is that they no longer rely solely on men’s provision."

While female empowerment remains a challenge in Mozambique, stories like Gilda’s and Graciete’s demonstrate that it is possible to break free from limiting traditions and create new narratives for women. Each brick they lay is a symbol of resilience, and every latrine they build is a step towards a future where women can dream and achieve whatever they desire. These women’s achievements deserve to be shared, so that more women can be inspired, break barriers, and believe in their own potential.