Ferosa Chauque is a lawyer, community journalist and human rights activist. She received her postgraduate degree in Human Rights-Domestic Violence from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, Brazil. Ferosa participated in the Human Rights Exchange by CONECTAS Diretos Humanos, in São Paulo Brazil in 2011. Currently, she serves as Executive Director of the National Forum of Community Radios (FORCOM), President of the Human Rights Commission of the Mozambican Bar Association (CDHOAM), President of the Coordination Committee of the Coalition for the Elimination of Premature Unions (CECAP and Vice President of Linha Fala Criança 116 (LFC). Ferosa is also a Member of the Mozambican Association of Women in the Legal Career (AMMCJ) and the Mozambican Network of Human Rights Defenders (RMDDH).​

IVLP Impact Award Project: District Conference on Electoral Violence on the Island of Mozambique: Implications for the Conquest of a Democratic Process

The project promoted a dialogue between political parties and sympathizers and civil society organizations. The debate focused on the code of conduct of political parties, behavior of political parties and supporters, national and international documents for the protection of human rights and the role of the police in the context of protecting citizens.

Through a one-day conference that brought together 156 people, including 15 municipal neighborhoods and various conflicting political parties, Ferosa's project contributed to the reduction of high levels of violence in the 2023 Local Elections on the Island of Mozambique.

The initiative took place in Ilha de Moçambique and covered citizens from the 20 most problematic neighborhoods in terms of violence. There were also 2 preparatory meetings with state institutions (STAE, CNE) and NGOs to define the conference strategy. Community Radio On Hipite broadcasted the event live, to allow most communities to follow. The implementation of these activities in connection with strategic partners contributed to achieving the goals, as there were commitments from all stakeholders.

The three main political parties publicly committed to non-violence and discouraged their supporters from violence. As a result, this year's elections were held in a climate of peace, social stability, and mutual respect, with no significant records of violence involving these actors.

“This conference was very important for me. I finally understood why there is violence here on the Island when we have elections. But with what I learned here, I see that it is possible to have elections [without violence]." - Project Participant 

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Ferosa was a participant in the IVLP Project Transparency and Accountability in Government, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center.

Ferosa's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "It was a fantastic experience; [that allowed me] to develop the project and cause changes at the community level."

U.S. Communities Visited

Washington, DC; Jacksonville, FL; Manchester, NH; Salt Lake City, UT

Country: Mozambique

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