Republic of Mauritius- Second High Level Policy Dialogue on Gender held today

The meeting was co-chaired by the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands, Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo and the Ambassador of the EU to Mauritius, Mrs Marjaana Sall. Representatives from different ministries attended the event and presented their inputs relating to the Framework.

In her address, the Vice-Prime Minister underlined that the Joint Monitoring Framework has been instrumental in triggering a number of actions by different ministries for the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment. Performance indicators relating to the promotion of gender equality, elimination of gender-based violence and economic empowerment of women, are now being more effectively monitored, she pointed out.

She recalled that the second technical committee on the Policy Dialogue on Gender was held in February this year to review contributions of different ministries and take note of corresponding indicators in the Joint Monitoring Framework signed in 2018. The Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare in collaboration with the EU is working on a number of projects geared towards ensuring Sustainable Development Goal 5 which is ‘Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’, she added.

Vice-Prime Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo commended the EU’s support in raising awareness and providing technical assistance in key areas such as capacity development for gender analysis and strengthening of national capacity; preparation of the Gender Equality Bill; and the revision and finalisation of the Children’s Bill. She also spoke of the ‘Rise and Shine Campaign’ which was  launched by the EU with a view to promote women empowerment and gender equity, as well as eliminate gender-based violence and human rights.

For her part, Ambassador Sall reiterated that gender equality and women empowerment remains a top priority for the EU and that the latter is extending all necessary support to Government for the wellbeing of women in the society. The event, she said, is part of the many activities that will be held in the context of the Europe Week.

She said that each and everyone has a common responsibility towards respecting the rights of all without any form of discrimination. She stated that the EU with the support of different ministries is working towards bringing real and tangible progress of girls and women. The ‘Rise and Shine’ movement, she pointed out, is a means to encourage individuals especially women to voice out and stand up against inequality, injustice, domestic violence and discrimination.