From April 14th to 18th, I had the incredible privilege of witnessing something truly special—young girls and women in Mozambique transforming their lives and communities through the We Lead programme. We’ve supported this work for four years now, but seeing it in action left me humbled, inspired, and completely moved. I met young women who first joined We Lead searching for direction. Many of them were living with stigma, silenced by shame, or blocked by a lack of opportunities. Now, these same young women speak out with confidence and purpose.
One young woman living with HIV told me, “I feel very different, significantly transformed. I can now speak as a woman living with HIV without
From April 14th to 18th, I had the incredible privilege of witnessing something truly special: young girls and women in Mozambique transforming their lives and communities through the We Lead programme.
We’ve supported this work for four years now, but seeing it in action left me humbled, inspired, and completely moved. I met young women who first joined We Lead searching for direction. Many of them were living with stigma, silenced by shame, or blocked by a lack of opportunities. Now, these same young women speak out with confidence and purpose. One young woman living with HIV told me, “I feel very different, very transformed. I can now speak as a woman living with HIV without fear of discrimination.”
Their voices are no longer hidden. They’re leading conversations, challenging perceptions, and changing the stories about them. One woman described her journey most beautifully: “The experience has transformed me from a small larva to a beautiful butterfly.” This isn’t just about gaining skills, discovering self-worth, building identity, and stepping into leadership. We Lead allows young girls and women to grow, believe in themselves, and spread their wings.
For young women with disabilities, We Lead is about more than just empowerment; it’s about being seen. One participant shared how things used to be: “They used to see us as just sick people.” But now, thanks to inclusive conversations and training, health workers and service providers are starting to listen, listen. These young women are no longer treated just as patients, but as people, with voices, rights, and strength. It’s changing how care is delivered and restoring dignity in daily life. One of the most touching moments came when I visited a local secondary school. The students there are tackling tough topics like teenage pregnancy, HIV, and mental health—not with fear, but with openness. They’ve created safe spaces where their peers can speak honestly and support each other. And it’s working. Their efforts have already led to fewer cases of pregnancy, abortion, and suicide at the school. Their message to other young people was clear and full of heart: “Get accurate SRHR information from trusted sources, know your rights, make safe choices. And when in doubt, talk to someone you trust.”
And to parents, they had a plea: “Be approachable. If you’re too strict, we won’t feel safe sharing our problems.” These young girls and women aren’t waiting for change—they are the change. They lead from the front, guide each other, and demand a better future. Let’s keep listening to them, learning from them, shifting power to them, and funding their brilliant ideas—because this is what real, lasting change looks like.
A heartfelt thank you to our partners, AMODEFA and AssociaçãoKutenga, for their leadership and tireless work in Mozambique. Together, we’re not just backing change—we’re walking beside the young girls and women who are making it happen. The transformative leadership training facilitated by Restless Development allowed young people to dive into discussions on leadership, power, and authority, as well as a deep dive into 360° leadership and feminist leadership principles. This training was not just about personal growth; it was designed to strengthen a community of organisations championing advocacy and rights-based work in Mozambique. This aims to equip them with tools for inclusive, values-driven and power-conscious leadership.
