Overview
Mozambique's independence from Portugal in 1975 was followed by nearly two decades of civil war. Between 1977 and 1992 up to a million Mozambicans died from fighting and famine in a war that ruined the economy and much of the countryside.
A political settlement in 1992 ushered in a new era of stability and rapid economic growth for one of the world's poorest countries.
However, it suffered serious setbacks when in 2000 and 2001 it was hit hard by floods which affected about a quarter of the population and destroyed much of its already decaying infrastructure.
This was compounded in 2002 when a severe drought hit many central and southern parts of the country, including previously flood-stricken areas. But despite its economic gains, poverty remains widespread, with more than 50 per cent of Mozambicans living on less than $1 a day.
HIV&AIDS has had a devastating impact on this country. Mozambique is one of the nine African countries hardest hit by the HIV&AIDS epidemic.
At the end of 2004, the UN estimated that 1.3 million Mozambican adults and children were living with HIV&AIDS with the number of young women – aged 20 to 24 - living with HIV outnumbering men in the same age group by four to one.
The bad news is that the number of cases is increasing, with the highest concentration in the centre of the country, and the most rapid incidence of new cases occurring in the southern region.
More that 400,000 children have been orphaned by the disease.
HIV prevalence among antenatal clinic attendees tested in the capital of Maputo increased from less than 1% in 1988 to 10% in 1998 and to more than 13% in 2000.
One serious issue is the lack of awareness – most people living with HIV are unaware of their medical condition – despite the prevalence of the disease which is around 13 per cent of the population – only three per cent of women, for example, have requested a HIV test.
Under the colonial regime, 93% of the population was illiterate and education about the disease has been highlighted as a priority as awareness about preventing transmission of the disease is dangerously low.
After independence, the government placed a high priority on expanding education, which reduced the illiteracy rate to about two-thirds as primary school enrolment increased.
Unfortunately, in recent years school construction and teacher training enrolments have not kept up with population growth. With post-war enrolments reaching all-time highs, the quality of education has suffered. Read more...
