Reports of ‘Sex for Food’ Allegations in Mozambique

Human Rights Watch has reported that survivors of Cyclone Idai in Mozambique are being forced into having sex with community leaders in order to secure food.

A few weeks ago Portugal's Jornal de Noticias reported on the case of a mother of three in Lamego, a village in Tica town, Sofala province, who was coerced into sex on three occasions by one of the neighbourhood secretaries, in exchange for bags of rice.

Upon hearing this news, the UN said it would immediately set up an investigation and endeavour to protect women and girls in Mozambique.

The UN humanitarian coordinator for Mozambique Marcoluigi Corsi reiterated that they have a ‘zero tolerance’ policy on sexual exploitation and abuse but that despite their best efforts in crisis such as Idai the risk of sexual exploitation and abuse persists.

Human Rights Watch claims that the government has not taken any credible steps yet to investigate or punish those responsible.