Family Welfare and Protection Unit (FWPU)

OBJECTIVES OF FAMILY WELFARE AND PROTECTION UNIT

The Family Welfare and Protection Unit (FWPU) was set up in July 2003 to implement policies and programmes to promote family well-being and to address Gender-Based Violence.

PROTECTION FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT (PDVA)

Prior to 1997, violence against women was treated as any other case of assault. There was no specific legislation for protection from domestic violence.  The Government of Mauritius passed in 1997, a new law to protect spouses from domestic violence: Protection from Domestic Violence Act 1997 (PDVA).

The Act provides for the issue of:

·         Protection Order

·         Occupation Order

·         Tenancy Order

·         Protection Order: restraining the abuser from further acts of violence and ordering him to be of good conduct; the Order can last for a period not exceeding 2 years.

·         Occupation Order: granting exclusive rights to the victim to live in the residence which may belong to the victim, the abuser or both.

·         Tenancy Order:   giving the victim exclusive right to occupy a rented house and the spouse who rented the house would continue to pay the rent.

Subsequent amendments were brought to the PDVA in 2004, 2007, 2011 and 2016 to provide protection to all family members living under the same roof, harsher penalties for non-compliance of orders of the Court and for the rehabilitation of perpetrators through counselling amongst others.

Given that the nature of domestic violence is complex and dynamic, the legislative framework and intervention should cover a wider range of harms and should be survivors centred and holding perpetrator accountable.

In April 2025, Cabinet approval was obtained to give instructions to the Attorney General's Office for the drafting of the new Domestic Abuse Bill to include financial abuse, controlling and coercive behavior with clear cut examples and acts of sexual nature to which the spouse has not consented to.

Special Events Celebrated by the Family Welfare and Protection Unit

• International Day of Families

Following the proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution in 1993, the 15^th May is observed as the International Day of Families. This day highlights the importance of families as fundamental units of society. It provides an opportunity for government, organisations and individuals to disseminate knowledge on the strengths and needs of families.

• International Day Against Violence Against Women  (IDAVAW)

By resolution 54/134 of 17 December 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day Against Violence   Against Women, and invited governments, international organisations and NGOs to organise activities designed to raise public awareness of the problem on that day.​

STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

The FWPU adopts well-defined strategies to address Gender-Based Violence and they are:

·         Intervention 

·         Prevention 

·         Re-integration

Intervention

·           FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES (FSS)

The Family Welfare and Protection Unit (FWPU) offers its services through 12 Family Support Services around the island namely at Goodlands, Flacq, Phoenix, Bambous, Souillac, Port Louis, Abercrombie, Rose-Hill, Plaine Magnien, Moka, Triolet and Vacoas.

SERVICES OFFERED TO THE VICTIM BY THE MINISTRY:

•           Individual/couple/family counselling;

•           Free psychological counselling to victims of GBV and perpetrators;

•           Free legal advice and legal representation at Court for victims of domestic violence;

•           Assistance to victims of domestic violence for application of Court orders: Protection/ Occupation/ Tenancy Orders under the Protection from Domestic Violence Act (PDVA);

•           Referral of victims of GBV to appropriate institutions for assistance;

Temporary accommodation for victims of domestic violence and their children in shelters run by Non-Governmental Organisations(NGOs);

·        Empowerment of victims of domestic violence through the Economic Empowerment Programme; and

·        Sensitization campaigns on GBV and family well-being.

Hotlines

·         Hotline 139 is operational on a 24/7 basis and is free of charge for reporting of domestic violence cases.

·         Hotline 119 is operational to cater for family related problems

Lespwar App

On 25 November 2020, the mobile application (app) “Lespwar" was launched as a rapid response system to victims of gender-based violence.  In line with international experiences, such App serves to increase Victim's Safety by giving priority and enhanced access to support services at the touch of a button for those at greatest risk.

The main specificities of the App are:

1. Rapid Response by Police through a geolocalisation feature
2. an information platform for all victims of GBV to feel secure, protected and taken care of by all the authorities concerned in order to maintain a stable and healthy life.

This application has been developed with the collaboration of the UNDP and has been entrusted to this Ministry.

 SHELTERS

Victims of domestic violence and their children are provided temporary accommodation for their safety. They are also provided with psycho-social support.

Prevention

Engaging men and boys

To address the problem of domestic violence and promote greater involvement of men in family responsibilities, the Ministry is implementing the engaging men and boys with a view to:

·         enhancing the understanding and importance of gender equality to men;

·         ensure the effective participation and involvement of men in family wellbeing;

·         promoting equal opportunities to men and women in the development process; and

·         ensuring that men become caring partners through the implementation of Male Responsibility and Family Well-Being.

·         Pre-Marital Counselling Programme

Pre-Marital Counselling is an opportunity for engaged couples and future married couples to learn about each other and oneself in depth while paving the way for an enduring, harmonious, successful satisfying and happy marriage. 

·         Marriage Enrichment Programme

The Marriage Enrichment Programme helps couples to strengthen their relationship and be better prepared to face the challenges of married life and develop the ability to resolve conflicts.

·         Inter –Generation Relationship Programme (IGR)

The programme aims to:

·        Build a strong relationship between children, parents and grandparents through communication and sharing;

·        Enhancing a sense of family belonging and security;

·        Reinforcing values for a healthy family life;

·        Promoting high value for family and traditions thereby creating a source of wisdom and stability;

·        Creating a link between cultural heritage and present day customs; and

·        Alleviating family stress thus diminishing inter-generation conflicts.

Encadrement des Famille

In today's fast-paced world, the concept of family empowerment has gained increasing significance. It goes beyond the conventional roles within a household and encompasses a comprehensive approach to strengthen family bonds, enhance communication and foster a supportive environment. It is about empowering each family members to reach their full potential.

But unfortunately, changes in societal norms and values and the accrued societal scourge such as gender-based violence, substance abuse and erosion of human values and rights have weakened the family cell.  

In this respect, a series of campaign  geared towards building the capacity of community leaders, NGOs and major stakeholders are being conducted to enable them to provide guidance and empower family members for a more harmonious and peaceful life in their respective communities.

Inter Faith Forum  

Victims and survivors of domestic violence very often turn to religious leaders for spiritual guidance and support. Religious Leaders play an essential role in the response to and elimination of domestic violence, as they carry the responsibility to protect and nurture the spiritual wellbeing of the community as a whole and its individual members.  

In this respect, this Ministry is collaborating with Religious Bodies for positive social change through the Interfaith Forum.

Shared Understanding on Gender-Based Violence

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is one of the most pervasive human rights violations in the world and across all segments of society. It also entails any harm or threat of harm inflicted on a person because of male-female power imbalances entrenched within a society.

As GBV is being addressed by different institutions, the FWPU is conducting awareness programme on shared understanding on GBV at the workplace.

Climate Change

Climate change represents one of the most significant health threats facing humanity. To sensitise the community on its specific impact on families, this Ministry is organising a series of workshops across the island to empower community leaders to address this global concern.

The 'Sensitisation Programmes on the Impact of Climate Change on the Family' aim to empower families through:

•           Education: Providing essential information on climate risks;

•           Behavioural Change: Encouraging sustainable consumption habits; and

•           Advocacy: Promoting practical measures to mitigate and cope with climate change.

Adolescence and Cybercrime

The main aim of this programme is to raise awareness on the underlying threats and consequences associated with the misuse of technologies, promote alertness on the online risks and highlight safety measures as regard to cybercrime. The programme seeks to equip individuals, particularly teenagers and their families, with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the digital environment safely.

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RE-INTEGRATION

Economic Empowerment Programme of Survivors of Domestic Violence

The programme aims to empower victims of gender-based violence by enabling them to access institutional opportunities for gainful employment, thereby promoting financial stability and independence. In addition, the Empowerment Programme focuses on strengthening survivors' self-esteem and self-confidence, supporting their overall recovery and reintegration into society.