The weight of women in the labour market has been growing in Mozambique, driven by several factors, such as the evolution of social dynamics, advances in education and an increase in inclusive policies. However, significant challenges to greater equity still persist.
In this article we address the subject by analysing a few angles, namely industries, level of experience and qualifications, and their impacts. The analysis covers a five-year period (2020-2024), for a universe of professionals registered on the emprego.co.mz platform.
Distribution by industry
Analysing a universe of 40 job categories, it was found that the areas traditionally dominated by men continue to carry greater weight, reflecting cultural and structural barriers that limit women's access and progression. The categories of Engineering and Construction (7,657 registered) and Information and Communication Technologies (7,156 registered) account for 9% and 8% respectively of the male universe, in contrast with the 3% found among registered women (1,250 and 1,177 respectively).
Professional experience
The analysis of the profiles of women registered on the platform shows a greater concentration of professionals at the start of their careers, reflecting a growing trend in women's presence in the market. Looking at the weight of the female universe at each stage of a career, while at the Junior stage (up to 2 years) women account for 29% (10,872 registered), this falls sharply at the Intermediate stage (2 to 5 years) to 23% (10,737 registered), and the downward trend becomes even more pronounced at the Senior stage (more than 5 years), reaching 20% (4,869 registered).
Level of education
Female enrolment in higher education has been growing in Mozambique, and data from emprego.co.mz show that most of the women registered for formal vacancies have at least secondary or higher education. Higher education accounted for 30,713 registered women (60%) over the period under analysis, far exceeding secondary education, with 13,025 registered (25%).
Challenges and opportunities
Despite the growing weight of women in the labour sector, it is important to note that, as the level of experience increases, there is a fall in the proportion of women in leadership and management roles, making plain the challenges that still persist relating to pay inequality, access to leadership positions and segregation by industry. The "glass ceiling", the invisible barriers that make it harder for women to advance professionally, is still a very present obstacle.
It is worth noting that the Management and Consultancy area accounts for the largest share (8.52%) of the history of vacancies posted on the platform.
Implementing strategies aimed at encouraging specialist training in areas where women have little numerical presence, mentoring programmes and equity policies are essential to promote a more inclusive and balanced working environment. In short, a combination of measures with a social, cultural and qualification impact.
The data presented reflect information extracted from the emprego.co.mz platform and represent part of the Mozambican formal market. The evolution of women's presence in the labour market depends on continued effort to promote equality of opportunity, creating conditions for more women to enter, remain and grow in all areas of the Mozambican economy.
