Parque Nacional da Gorongosa Moçambique

National Women’s Day Celebration Honor Mozambican Author

Mar 17, 2009 - Gorongosa National Park

On March 8, 2009, Mozambican journalist and writer Rosa Langa launched her new book, “The Unconfidentials of Men” at Gorongosa National Park’s National Women’s Day Celebration. Park staff and community members from nearby Vinho attended the celebration.

Ms. Langa compiled interviews with various men for the book, some of which were broadcast over the radio. She covers many topics, including questions of masculine sexuality, such as feelings about their first experiences, the use of condoms, casual sex, prostitution, and circumcision.  Twenty-five male artists, both from Mozambique and elsewhere, are interviewed in this book, including Bonga (an Angolan singer) and Rui Veloso (a Portuguese musician).

 

"The book reveals how preconceived the world we live in really is. And more. This work by Rosa Langa sheds light on the view that men have of women. It also shows the obstacles that women truly face and the hard truth about their fight for freedom and equality," says Professor Doutor José Mateus Muária Katupa, Former Mozambican Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports.

 

The author noted that International Women's Day, celebrated March 8 every year, is a commemorative day of celebration that recognizes the economic, political, and social gains and contributions of women everywhere. Rosa Langa asked Mozambican women to persist in their secular fight for equality with men, as well as to assure that all rights gained up to this point are not lost. At the same time, the author called on married women to rigorously comply with their social roles in order to guarantee a happy home and, in doing so, keep their husbands at home. She also called attention to HIV prevention and voluntary testing for all women.

Greg Carr spoke briefly during the launch, congratulating the author on her new book and sent his best wishes to all of the women attending the occasion and for yet another wonderful celebration of International Women's Day in Gorongosa National Park.  Mr. Carr also called attention to the benefits that the Gorongosa Restoration Project generates for local communities, particularly the formal employment for local women at the Park. 

 

Rosa Langa's first book, "Mozambique, Women and Life," released in 2006, was a compilation of 30 interviews with Mozambican women of diverse social strata. Rosa was born in Chibuto district, Gaza province, and has been a cultural journalist for 13 years with Mozambique Radio. She has also worked with Tempo magazine and the now defunct newspaper, Campeão.