In the heart of Beira, the capital of Sofala Province, a resounding message echoed through the streets last week: enough is enough. On March 7, 2026, approximately 700 women, alongside members of civil society organizations, women’s groups, community leaders, and allies, took to the streets in a determined march to denounce and demand an end to femicide in the city.
Organized by the Archdiocesan Commission for Justice and Peace of the Beira Archdiocese, in collaboration with partners such as the AMPDC (Association of Women for the Promotion of Community Development) and other local entities like the Grupo de Mulheres de Partilha de Ideias de Sofala (GMPIS), the event carried the powerful slogan: “Basta de Feminicídio! Unidos para Acabar com Toda a Violência contra Mulher e Rapariga” (Enough of Femicide! United to End All Violence Against Women and Girls).
The march aligned with celebrations surrounding the Day of the African Woman and served as a precursor to broader mobilizations around International Women’s Day on March 8, amplifying a unified voice against the rising tide of gender-based violence in Mozambique, particularly in Beira.
A Growing Crisis Demands Urgent Action
Beira has witnessed an alarming escalation in crimes against women, with femicide cases mounting in recent months. Local reports and monitoring by observatories have highlighted multiple tragic incidents in the early part of 2026 alone, often rooted in domestic violence and impunity. The Catholic Church’s Justice and Peace Commission, active in the archdiocese for 38 years, under the Missionaries of Africa, has framed the event within its mission rooted in the Social Doctrine of the Church, Vatican II teachings, and a commitment to human dignity, peace, social justice, and the rule of law. The Missionaries of Africa see themselves as deeply connected to Mozambican society and actively engaged in addressing daily realities faced by communities. The march aimed to empower victims and witnesses to report cases to authorities, including the Public Prosecutor’s Office (PGR) and police, while pressing for stronger public safety measures as essential to achieving true justice and social equity.
The March: A Display of Unity and Resolve
Participants gathered at Praça dos Professores in Chipangara at 8:30 a.m., with the procession departing at 90:00 a.m. The route proceeded along Avenida Armando Tivane, circled the Rotunda do Goto, continued down Avenida Samora Machel, and concluded at Praça da Juventude in front of the Casa dos Bicos.
Carrying banners, chanting slogans, and united in solidarity, the crowd, predominantly women but inclusive of supportive men, youth, and faith communities, transformed the city’s central avenues into a platform for visibility and resistance. The participation of around 700 women highlighted the scale of community mobilization and the shared urgency to confront a problem that affects families, neighbourhoods, and the entire society.
Civil society played a key role, with women’s organizations amplifying calls for accountability, better protection mechanisms, and cultural change to eradicate the root causes of violence. The event highlighted that ending femicide requires collective effort: from education and awareness to robust legal responses and community support systems.
The centre message was unmistakable: femicide must stop. Participants demanded that authorities act decisively, that society reject tolerance of violence, and that women and girls live free from fear. By uniting diverse groups under one banner of Justice and Peace, the march demonstrated that the fight against gender-based violence transcends religious, political, or social divides; it’s a shared human imperative.
Beira has spoken loudly and clearly: Basta de feminicídio. The struggle continues until every woman and girl can live in safety and dignity.
By: Elie Sango Nyembo, M.Afr.