Celebrating Women's History Month: Suzete Da Graça André

Suzete Da Graça André, a student at Eduardo Mondlane University and alumna of the 2020 Study of the US Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Civic Engagement, shares her story for Women’s History Month. This is the third post in a special FIUTS blog series that features stories of current students, staff, and alumni as they work to advance women’s rights and social equity around the globe.

Suzete Da Graça André

How are you connected to the FIUTS community?

I was a participant participant from Mozambique in the SUSI on Civic Engagement in Winter 2020. Being part of the FIUTS community is an honor, because I learned to live with people from different backgrounds and I will take it for the rest of my life. Knowing how to live in diversity keeps me connected with the FIUTS community forever.

How do you support women’s rights?

I dream of a world without premature marriages, because it robs the future of girls and damages the development of women. To combat it, I carry out community awareness activities, with community leaders and volunteers, we also offer basic school supplies to girls. The goal is to promote girls' rights through awareness and education.

What woman inspires you? Why?

Meghan Markle, Oprah Winfrey, Ibtihaj Muhammad... they are women who inspire me, but in Mozambique the one that inspires me is Graça Machel for the way she defends and represents women in the country.

What is the biggest challenge women currently face? How do we overcome this obstacle?

In my view, the biggest challenge is equal opportunities in two areas: training and employment. To achieve it is necessary to believe in us and the whole world to realize that we too can, because yes, we can too.

The Study of the U.S. Institute on Civic Engagement is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by Meridian International Center and FIUTS.