Alcinda Honwana, a Mozambican academic, launched the Alcinda Honwana Scholarship in 2021 with the aim of supporting young women in higher education in Mozambique, helping them overcome financial and social barriers. This initiative was inspired by her own academic career. With a degree in History and Geography from Eduardo Mondlane University and a doctorate in Social Anthropology from the University of London, Alcinda has held prestigious posts at institutions such as the London School of Economics. Internationally recognised, she received an Honorary Doctorate from Utrecht University in 2021. She currently serves as a Director in the United Nations Secretariat in New York. The creation of this scholarship demonstrates her strong commitment to Mozambique's social and economic development and the advancement of women. In conversation with Xonguila magazine, Alcinda shared her motivations and the challenges she faced in setting up the scholarship, as well as her expectations for the initiative's future. "I have always dreamed of supporting the higher education of Mozambican girls", she said, stressing the importance of creating conditions that allow young women to reach their full academic and professional potential.
The Alcinda Honwana Scholarship was driven by the desire to give back the support that Alcinda herself received throughout her academic career. With resources from the royalties on her books and part of her salary, Alcinda created a fund intended to support young Mozambican women who, despite academic talent, face financial difficulties. "I believe it is fundamental to overcome the social and financial barriers that prevent many women from reaching their potential", she explained. The programme goes beyond financial support, also offering mentoring and an environment of mutual help among the scholars. "We want to create a spirit of social responsibility, so that in the future these young women can also support others and contribute to the country's progress", she stressed. Since its creation, the scholarship has already benefited five young women master's students in the fields of Philosophy, Food Security, Psychology and Marine Biology. Three of them have already completed their master's degrees.
The scholarship programme is run in partnership with Eduardo Mondlane University and the Pedagogical University of Maputo, which coordinate the application and pre-selection processes based on specific criteria: being Mozambican, a full-time student, having a degree average above 14 out of 20 and not receiving other scholarships. One of the most debated criteria is the age limit, which restricts applications to young women under 29. Alcinda explained that this restriction aims to support girls at the start of their academic careers, when they are most focused on their studies. "I believe that by concentrating resources on younger students, we can contribute to the training of a new generation of researchers and leaders in Mozambique", she explained. Alcinda Honwana personally conducts the final interviews, by Zoom call, and selects the scholars. In addition to tuition fees, the scholarship offers a monthly allowance to cover transport, food and teaching materials, allowing the students to focus exclusively on their studies. The scholarship also includes English and academic writing courses, which, according to Alcinda, broaden the beneficiaries' opportunities for academic and professional development.
Setting up the scholarship was not without its challenges, from guaranteeing its long-term financial sustainability to structuring a programme suited to the beneficiaries' needs. "It was a process that took time and many suggestions from colleagues and professionals in this field”, the academic shared. One of the most significant factors was the partnership with the two Mozambican universities, which ensures transparency and fairness in the selection process. For the future, Alcinda Honwana hopes to expand the number of beneficiaries and is committed to raising additional funds for this purpose. "My goal is to create a movement that allows more young women to realise their postgraduate dreams", she revealed. Alcinda also intends to establish partnerships with institutions that offer doctoral scholarships and links with institutions and companies that can employ the new graduates.
The young scholarship recipients speak enthusiastically about the positive impact this support has had on their lives. Atija Xavier Sete, one of the first scholars, said the scholarship was a transformative opportunity: "This scholarship allowed me to do my master's in Philosophy at the Pedagogical University. Without it, I would still be displaced because of the war in Cabo Delgado." Atija finished her master's with distinction, honouring her family's efforts and Alcinda Honwana's support. Esperança Nicolau Utchavo, who completed a master's in Food Security, expressed similar feelings: "With this scholarship, I was able to devote myself fully to my studies. I managed to finish my master's and now I hope to do a doctorate", she said, having developed a research project on the preservation of beef, with potential impact on Maputo's food chain. Néusia Nhatinombe Macou, another scholar, highlighted the fairness and transparency of the selection process. "This scholarship was a blessing in my life. You didn't need to have 'connections' to be chosen, and that made all the difference", she said. Néusia completed a master's in Organisational Psychology, focusing on the challenges faced by university finalists in the job market. Carolina Mutatisse and Riana Macumbuie hope to finish their master's degrees in Marine Biology and Philosophy respectively by the end of 2024. Both said that this scholarship offers a solid foundation for their academic and professional growth.
Through the Alcinda Honwana Scholarship, young Mozambican women find an opportunity to overcome the economic and social barriers that often limit their academic and professional development. Alcinda firmly believes that women's education is an essential pillar for building a more inclusive and fairer society. Her wish is that, over time, the scholarship programme will grow and affect more and more lives, allowing more young women to access higher education and contribute to Mozambique's development. The journey of Alcinda Honwana and her scholars demonstrates the transformative power of education and solidarity. Through this scholarship, the Mozambican academic is investing in Mozambique's future, creating opportunities for talented young people to develop and achieve their goals.
