The National Steering Committee on the elimination of Gender-Based Violence, opened, yesterday morning, at Le Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel with the objective to take stock of accomplishments as well as to address barriers in the National Action Plan and Strategy on Gender-Based Violence. The Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Kalpana Devi Koonjoo-Shah, chaired the meeting in presence of Permanent Secretary, Mrs Phoolranee Rampadarath, and other stakeholders.
In her address, the Minister recalled that the Prime Minister chaired the sixth High-Level Committee on the elimination of Gender-Based Violence on 25th May this year during which, an International Consultant, Mr Jason Meyer, presented his mid-term review report on the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the National Strategy and Action Plan.
The Gender-Based Violence framework presented in the National Strategy and Action Plan, she stated, clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities for actors and institutions. It also promotes capacity building on gender-based violence and emphasises targeted government actions and dedicated high-level political commitment, pointed out the Gender Minister.
Minister Koonjoo-Shah further indicated that Mauritius is signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) while emphasising that the Protection from Domestic Violence Act has established structures to provide 24-hour services, free legal assistance, and psychological counseling.
Nevertheless, she remarked, that statistics of Gender Links revealed that one out of four women in Mauritius is either a battered woman or a victim of some form of domestic violence.
Despite significant progress in the implementation of the Action Plan, it is prerequisite to develop and implement robust accountability mechanisms at the level of the technical working groups to ensure the overall effectiveness of implementing the recommendations outlined in the National Strategy and Action Plan, underscored the Gender Minister.
“It is crucial for the Chairpersons and Co-chairpersons of the four technical working groups to incorporate the analysis presented by the Consultant in his mid-review report.
This step aims to enhance collaboration among stakeholders and facilitate regular technical working group meetings and ensure the implementation, assessment, and regular reporting of activities under their respective sub-strategies,’’ she said
Minister Koonjoo-Shah called for sustained effort to foster a culture of societal change and empowerment for survivors of Gender-based violence through continued sensitisation campaigns and capacity building programs as well as to address gaps in legislations and accountability mechanisms.
