The fight against poverty remains at the core of Government’s preoccupations and with the implementation of the Marshall Plan, Government is tackling the root causes of poverty and exclusion by working with poor communities and others left behind to better access basic services such as health and education, social protection measures, and empowerment initiatives for women and youth.
This was the gist of the message of the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, yesterday, on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2022, at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Centre, Phoenix. In his keynote address, he recalled that the Marshall Plan was implemented during financial year 2016-2017 and lays emphasis on social inclusion of traditionally disadvantaged populations and follows the “leaving no one behind” principle.
He underlined that in a bid to empower those at the lowest rungs of the social ladder, a subsistence allowance is being paid since December 2016 to beneficiaries living below the absolute poverty threshold. Since 2016 as at date, Government has disbursed some Rs 1,3 billion as subsistence allowance, he indicated.
Prime Minister Jugnauth also dwelt on the importance of education and appealed to them to seize the opportunities, facilities and incentives put at their disposal to pursue technical and academic education. They include Child Allowance Scheme, School Materials Scheme, School Premium Scheme, and School Examination Fees Scheme. He further recalled that during lockdown, a total of 1,228 tablets were distributed to students from Grades 9 to 13 which enabled them to follow online classes.
As regards the Fortified Learning Environment Programme being implemented since January 2022, Mr Jugnauth stated that some Rs 150 million are being disbursed per year to better support children from disadvantaged backgrounds in their education and thereby, respond to the negative impact of poverty on educational outcomes.
He also spoke about initiatives aimed at empowering women such as training in pastry-making, bee-keeping, farming, and hairdressing. Moreover, he reiterated the importance of good health and stated that a National Screening Programme has been launched across the country where beneficiaries under the Social Register of Mauritius (SRM) and other inhabitants will benefit from free medical screening. Government, he added, is also constructing 12,000 housing units across Mauritius to provide a decent housing to the most vulnerable.
According to Prime Minister Jugnauth, all these measures have helped vulnerable families to progress in life. He indicated that in 2020, 50% of those considered as poor were no longer in that category adding that 6,295 families representing 25,000 individuals are presently under the Social Register of Mauritius as compared to 40,000 people in 2014.
Also present on the occasion, the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, highlighted that Government is implementing several measures aimed at addressing inequality, combatting poverty, and enhancing social justice. She also spoke about the Marshall Plan which, she said, has brought a lot of positive results in the society. She dwelt on the National CSR Foundation and recalled that some 450 NGOs which are registered under the Foundation mount projects targeting those who are vulnerable.
Symbolic remittance of keys, vouchers and certificates
On that occasion, a symbolic remittance of keys to four beneficiaries (out of a total of 20) of housing units under the Full Concrete Housing Scheme was held. Six beneficiaries of housing units under the NHDC Scheme out of a total of 12 also received keys to their houses. A Letter of Intent was also handed over to two beneficiaries (out of a total of 95) of housing units under the NHDC Scheme.
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2022
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is held annually on 17 October to provide an opportunity to acknowledge the effort and struggle of people living in poverty; a chance for them to make their concerns heard; and a moment to recognise that poor people are the first ones to fight against poverty.
This year’s theme is “Dignity for All in Practice”. The dignity of the human being is not only a fundamental right but constitutes the basis of all other fundamental rights.
