To mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the responsible ministry organised an official ceremony in Réduit this morning. The Prime Minister was present. Pravind Jugnauth stressed that women’s rights are still being violated today. He described the perpetrators of violence against women as barbarians. He added that he would show them no mercy. He asked victims not to hesitate to denounce their abusers. “Those who perpetuate violence against women are barbarians and the government will show them no mercy so that they face the full force of the law”, the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Jugnauth encouraged victims of domestic violence to break the silence to obtain justice against their perpetrators, by availing of the services and assistance provided by Government to protect victims.
The Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun; the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Kalpana Devi Koonjoo-Shah; several Ministers; Members of Parliament; Representatives of Diplomatic Corps; and other personalities were present at the event.
In his address, the Prime Minister underlined the physical and psychological harm resulting from domestic violence and abuse which has a lasting effect on the victims. He warned that relevant authorities would show no pity towards perpetrators of domestic violence.
Moreover, the Prime Minister asserted that as chairman of the High-Level Committee on the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence, he would ensure that the recommendations, under the National Strategy and Action Plan, would be fully implemented. He indicated that 64% of the recommendations, which focused, among others, on prevention, as well as support to, and empowerment of, victims have been executed. Mr Jugnauth added that legislation would be reviewed to render laws more effective in protecting women and girls.
“The fight against domestic violence against women and girls is high on the agenda of the Government, which is coming up with measures and laws to put a halt to such inhumane behaviours, but to win this fight, efforts should be collective,” affirmed Mr Jugnauth. He thus stressed that across society, everyone should report cases of violence and send the message that any form of abuse should not be tolerated.
He also called for a change of behaviour and attitude within the family setting. He averred that perceptions of violence begin from experiences at home and spill over into society as family members witness and experience various forms of violence whether verbal, physical, psychological or sexual.
For her part, Minister Koonjoo-Shah stated that while women have the common right to feel safe, the tragic deaths of three women, this year, due to domestic abuse is a stark reminder that this fundamental right to safety is being denied to many women. “It is a reminder that the shadow of violence is still looming over communities and that we should therefore remain steadfast in our quest to eliminate violence from our midst,” she declared.
The ceremony was marked with the launching of the Gender-Based Violence Observatory website, an initiative of the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare. Video clips on domestic violence and a bulletin were also presented on the occasion by the MRIC.
It is recalled that the Gender-based Violence Observatory has been set up with a view to improving the data collection system and undertaking applied research on the multiple facets of gender-based violence to inform policymaking and assist the design and implementation of effective policies to combat this scourge.
