From 17 to 19 July 2026, another training session under the Women and Life Project took place, this time focusing on Women’s Mental Health, bringing together 29 participants from communities in the provinces of Luanda and Bengo.
The training aimed to strengthen knowledge, develop personal skills and promote women’s emotional well-being, contributing to their empowerment and capacity building.
Over the course of three days, participants reflected on key issues related to mental health and quality of life.
The first day focused on emotional well-being, addressing topics such as anxiety, depression and burnout. Through participatory activities, moments of reflection, mindfulness exercises and breathing techniques, participants deepened their understanding of warning signs, challenged misconceptions about anxiety and explored strategies to identify and manage their emotions.
On the second day, the training focused on resilience, values and life purpose, providing tools to strengthen participants’ ability to face challenges and prevent emotional exhaustion. Sessions included activities on time management, setting priorities using the Eisenhower Matrix, identifying core values, recognising individual strengths and valuing positive memories as a resource for well-being.
The third and final day addressed parenting and well-being, highlighting the importance of balancing family care with self-care. Participants discussed parenting challenges, the impact of parental stress and the importance of community support networks, reinforcing the message that taking care of oneself is an essential step towards caring for others.
The training also included initial and final assessments, making it possible to monitor the participants’ progress in terms of the knowledge acquired. The session concluded with an activity that encouraged the sharing of experiences and strengthened the bonds within the group.
The Women and Life Project aims to promote the well-being and empowerment of Angolan women in the provinces of Luanda and Bengo by strengthening their entrepreneurial skills, knowledge of human rights and women’s rights, and awareness of physical and mental health. The project also seeks to contribute to the prevention of domestic violence and improve access to sexual, reproductive, maternal and child health, promoting a fairer, more equitable and inclusive society.
To achieve these objectives, the project provides training for community multipliers and women’s groups across four key thematic areas. It also includes a study on the mental health and rights of Angolan women, contributing to a better understanding of the country’s reality and to the development of more effective responses.
The Women and Life Project is funded by Camões, I.P. and coordinated by Rosto Solidário, in partnership with Cáritas Portuguesa, Saúde em Português and Cáritas de Angola.
