As part of our work to improve the lives of Mozambican women, our project interviewed women in their homes to ask them about their lives, focusing on their maternal experiences. The stories we heard in our visits were very interesting and moving. In order to share some of them, while still maintaining the women’s confidentiality, we created three fictional stories, based on the interviews. These are teaching stories, intended to increase understanding. They convey conditions and experiences, but they also transmit women’s resilience and suggest some potential positive directions.

There are many ways the stories can be used as teaching tools. After each story, we suggest some discussion questions specific to that story. These can be used in whole or in part with small groups to elicit ideas and proposals for action. More discussion questions can be added. Role plays can also be used to enliven the stories and bring out people’s experiences.

Women's Stories Discussion Tool