Madam dan enn lemond dizital: inklizion, egalite, oportinite (Women in a digital world: inclusion, equality, opportunity) was the theme of the International Women’s Day 2023 celebrated at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre, in Pailles, yesterday
Among all the eminent personalities present, were the Prime Minister, Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Kalpana Devi Koonjoo-Shah, and the World Health Organisation Representative in Mauritius, Dr Anne Ancia.
Prime Minister Jugnauth stated that this day is an opportune time to express gratitude to all women for their contribution that spans from their family units, the society, their workplace, and the progress of the country. Government, he stated, recognises the pivotal role of women in the community as well as their efforts to participate in the advancement of the country.
The Prime Minister reiterated Government’s determination to champion the cause of gender equality and observed that the public sector has stepped ahead of the private sector in offering opportunities to women to take up top positions and high-responsibility jobs. According to him, there is a need for more female participation in the political sphere, which he emphasised, is an important platform to raise their voice.
Moreover, concerning the issue of Gender Based Violence and related crimes perpetuated against women, Prime Minister Jugnauth encouraged women to report such acts while pledging that Government will continue to uphold and protect women’s rights.
Mr. Jugnauth recalled that the Government is spearheading various policies and measures aimed at tackling the Gender Based Violence. We have set up of a High-Level Committee for the Elimination of Gender Based Violence chaired by myself, which is spearheading bold measures meaning from out from our Strategy, he said. He added that last year a Family Support Services providing coordinated and timely support to victims have been implemented.
Furthermore, PM Jugnauth reiterated his political will to fight against the drug scourge to protect the country’s population, as well as his priority to cater for the well-being and improved quality of life for the population through the provision of a range of benefits including an increased Basic Retirement Pension.
The Minister Kalpana Devi Koonjoo-Shah, highlighted that the International Women’s Day 2023 celebrates the achievements and progress of all women through their emancipation. The Minister stated that Prime Minister Jugnauth is a staunch believer of women’s value, capacity and power and places the betterment, protection, well-being, and progress of women at the core of Government’s agenda.
Furthermore, the Gender Minister rejoiced that much progress has been made as regards the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights in the Republic of Mauritius, and assured that the Government is further striving to chart a bright future for its female population. She expressed conviction that all women of the country possess the determination and resilience to persevere and contribute to the progress of the Nation.
As regards the theme of this year’s celebration, the Minister dwelt on the need for women to be able to tap into the multiple opportunities provided by technology, for which she emphasised, the required conducive environment and necessary security to enable a more equal and safe participation in the field is being catered for by Government.
On that score, Mrs Koonjoo-Shah announced that the functions of the National Women Entrepreneur Council are being reviewed to include the use of technology to enhance the business activities of women entrepreneurs.
She observed that the Mobile App “Lespwar” is one successful example of the use of technology to advance the cause of eliminating Gender Based Violence. She indicated that an increasing number of women are using the App to report abuses and urged all members of the community to contribute to the fight against Gender Based Violence by reporting perpetrators of such acts.
The theme retained by the United Nations for the celebration of International Women’s Day this year is ‘‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’’.
