1. Background
The
Gender Unit, as the National Gender Machinery, is established as the lead agency for the oversight, coordination, monitoring and evaluation
of gender mainstreaming of policies, strategies and programmes at national level.
The overarching principle of the Gender Unit is to adopt a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) that entails a process of non-discrimination,
equal participation, inclusion, accountability and the rule of law, which remains the foundation of social justice.
2. Objectives:
The
Gender Unit has, as main objectives to work towards the attainment of gender equality and women's empowerment. This process entails a dual
approach, namely:
- Oversee and coordinate the implementation of gender mainstreaming strategies in all Ministries' policies and programmes; and
- Implement policies/programmes to empower women socially, economically and politically, thereby, addressing “de facto" inequality and bridging all outstanding gender gaps.
3. Main Programmes
A. Policy Level
(i) Gender in Development and Mainstreaming
The
Gender Unit is called upon to harmonise policies with international and regional human rights Instruments related to women's empowerment and
gender equality, as well as ensure follow up and provide regular reports, thereon. These instruments include, inter alia, the following:
(a) International Instruments:
The Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW; 1984
· The Beijing Platform for Action of 1995 (BFPA; 1995).
· The Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals Agenda inclusive of a stand-alone Goal 5: “Achieve Gender Equality and Empower All Women and Girls".
Note: the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women has taken place from 06 to 17 March 2023 at New York (UN Head Quarters). The theme retained for this year is “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls"
(b) Regional Instruments
(ii) National Mechanism for Gender Mainstreaming
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, as the National Gender Machinery, is pursuing its efforts towards mainstreaming gender and empowering women and girls so that no-one is left behind.
To that effect, it has initiated the following actions:
(i) In March 2022, the adoption of the National Gender Policy (2022-2030) on the 8 March 2022, by the Hon Prime Minister in the context of the International Women's Day The purpose of the NGP is to have guidelines that will underpin Government's commitment to integrate gender in all planned actions and provides the basis upon which every sector is guided to develop their sectoral gender policies and implementation plan.
(ii) On 16 August 2022, a first National Steering Committee on Gender Mainstreaming which demonstrates a strong commitment in catapulting gender equality at the highest level in the public sectors, was launched
(iii) Since Oct 2022, an Inter-Ministerial Gender Technical Working Committee has been set up and 2 meeting were held on 11 October and 4 November 2022, with GFPs of all Ministries to take stock of actions being planned from a gender lens within their respective Sectors and whether assistance is required;
(iv) National Mechanism for Gender Mainstreaming
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, as the National Gender Machinery, is pursuing its efforts towards mainstreaming gender and empowering women and girls so that no-one is left behind.
To that effect, it has initiated the following actions:
I. In March 2022, the adoption of the National Gender Policy (2022-2030) on the 8 March 2022, by the Hon Prime Minister in the context of the International Women's Day The purpose of the NGP is to have guidelines that will underpin Government's commitment to integrate gender in all planned actions and provides the basis upon which every sector is guided to develop their sectoral gender policies and implementation plan.
II. On 16 August 2022, a first National Steering Committee on Gender Mainstreaming which demonstrates a strong commitment in catapulting gender equality at the highest level in the public sectors, was launched
III. Since Oct 2022, an Inter-Ministerial Gender Technical Working Committee has been set up and 2 meeting were held on 11 October and 4 November 2022, with GFPs of all Ministries to take stock of actions being planned from a gender lens within their respective Sectors and whether assistance is required;
IV. Presently, the Gender Cells set up in all Ministries are being reinforced and Continuous support and technical assistance are provided to them mainly, in terms of, provisions of Information, Education and Communication on gender issues duly adapted in their sectors so that they are able to identify gender gaps within their respective sectors and the ways to address these effectively. Thus, an action plan for the public sector has been elaborated and implemented on a short and medium term.
V. In the same vein, over and above reaching out the public sector, the Ministry is refreshing its commitment with other 4 sectors namely, the Private Sector, the Academia, the Media and the Civil Society Organisations through Gender Technical Working Group Committee. Each of these Sectors will be assisted through a well-defined guideline that will enable the smooth integration of gender in those sectors for gradual elimination of outstanding gender gaps. A guideline for each of the 4 sectors will be launched shortly.
VI. Animated Cartoon on Gender Equality-In a bid to sensitise the public at large in understanding the Gender Concept, the Gender Unit came forward with the initiative to produce an animated cartoon on Gender Equality, which was launched on 28 September 2021 by the Hon Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare in the presence of Her Excellency, High Commissioner of the Australian Embassy.
VII. Presently, the Gender Cells set up in all Ministries are being reinforced and Continuous support and technical assistance are provided to them mainly, in terms of, provisions of Information, Education and Communication on gender issues duly adapted in their sectors so that they are able to identify gender gaps within their respective sectors and the ways to address these effectively. Thus, an action plan for the public sector has been elaborated and implemented on a short and medium term.
VIII. In the same vein, over and above reaching out the public sector, the Ministry is refreshing its commitment with other 4 sectors namely, the Private Sector, the Academia, the Media and the Civil Society Organisations through Gender Technical Working Group Committee. Each of these Sectors will be assisted through a well-defined guideline that will enable the smooth integration of gender in those sectors for gradual elimination of outstanding gender gaps. A guideline for each of the 4 sectors will be launched shortly.
Animated Cartoon on Gender Equality-In a bid to sensitise the public at large in understanding the Gender Concept, the Gender Unit came forward with the initiative to produce an animated cartoon on Gender Equality, which was launched on 28 September 2021 by the Hon Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare in the presence of Her Excellency, High Commissioner of the Australian Embassy.
It is to be highlighted that the Ministry benefitted from technical/ financial assistance of the UNDP for the production of the animated cartoon on gender equality, whereby funds were mobilized under the Australian Government Direct Assistance Programme to the tune of Aus $ 16,000.
The launching was followed by a training of 30 Officers from different Ministries, namely the Citizens Advice Bureaux; Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund; Youth and Sports; Family Welfare and Protection Unit; Social Welfare Division; the National Women's Council and the National Children's Council. The purpose, thereof, was to build their capacities, with a view of enabling them to raise
awareness on the topic using the animated cartoon as an innovative tool during their IEC campaigns.
Copies of the animated cartoon were also handed over to the Officers for dissemination purposes. In that vein, the Ministry ensures that On-going Information, Education and Communication campaign on the gender concept and gender –related issues, including gender-based violence to ensure that the discourse is disseminated and well understood at all levels. Some 541 persons have benefitted from IEC campaigns on Gender Concept and terminologies, while 221 beneficiaries have participated in projects and workshops on issues pertaining to gender.
(iii) Implementation of the Gender Responsive Budgeting Initiative
The
Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare advocated for the introduction of the Gender Responsive Budgeting Initiative (GRBI).
Subsequently, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development has, in the budgetary measures for financial 2016-2017, allocated Rs 200, 000 on a pilot basis to five (5) Ministries for the implementation of gender sensitive initiatives.
These
Ministries are namely, Health and Quality of Life; Youth and Sports; Civil Service and Administrative Reforms; Education and Human Resources,
Tertiary Education and Scientific Research; to the Environment and Sustainable Development Division of the Ministry of Social Security,
National Solidarity, and Environment and Sustainable Development and they have implemented specific projects to address gender gaps within
their respective sectors.
In
light of the positive feedback received, the Ministry of Gender Equality sustained its advocacy with the Ministry of Finance and
Economic Development and the latter has introduced in the budget 2017/2018- one “Vote Item: Gender Mainstreaming in Government's Programmes/Policies" in all Ministries budgetary allocations, whereby funds to the tune of US$5600 have been allotted.
The
Ministry of Gender Equality has, subsequently, worked closely with a number of Ministries by providing them with entry points regarding the
implementation of specific projects and activities.
(iv) Legal Framework
The National Women's Council and the National Women Entrepreneur Council are two parastatals which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare and the executive arms of the Gender Unit in implementing empowerment programmes for women. Each of them have their respective mission and vision as follows:-
The National Women's Council (NWC), a parastatal body under the aegis of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, was established in year 1985. It operates under the new NWC Act 2016 which was passed at the National Assembly on 3 May 2016 with the aim to provide a modern and appropriate legislative framework to further promote women's empowerment and gender equality. Presently, Same is being reviewed.
The National Women Entrepreneur Council (NWEC) is a parastatal body set up in 1999. It is the main organisation that provides support and assistance for the economic empowerment of both potential and existing women entrepreneurs in Mauritius. The mission of the NWEC is to promote entrepreneurship and inculcate the right business culture for women's empowerment in Mauritius. Presently the NWEC is in process of implementing the 8 recommendations of the National Strategy and Costed Action Plan for Women Entrepreneurship Development in Mauritius.
B. Implementation Level
Women Empowerment Centres: A place for every women to come; network and get empowered.
The Gender Unit also operates through its decentralized network of Women Centres, which were revamped into Women Empowerment Centres in 2016, as a matter of priority and re-oriented its activities and projects so that these contribute effectively towards women's empowerment.
There are 6 Women Empowerment Centres across the island which provide an appropriate and exclusive environment, relevant to the needs of our women folk, where they can come together to gain confidence; develop skills; participate in training; get support; organize group meetings, activities and access other services. The ultimate goal is to offer services that empower women to be “at par" with men.
In a bid to maximize on the existing WECs, the Ministry has converting the WECs into Wellness Centres for Women (WCW). The objectives are to:
- Undertake targeted interventions for the wellbeing of adolescent girls and women, including elderly women.
- Provide a conducive environment and “un service de proximité", whereby women can access to an array of services such as first hand counselling on issues related to their health.
- Equip the Centre with basic sports amenities that will facilitate women to practice keep fit and physical activities.
- To enlist the support of various stakeholders engaged in dealing with specific health issues.
The Floreal WCW was launched on 10 October 2022 and is actually providing for chair exercises, Tai chi, Yoga and walking club. Some 85 women are benefiting from these activities while the medical screening is ongoing for those who have enrolled for other physical activities.
Moreover, since last year, the Gender Unit has witnessed a paradigm shift in service delivery whereby programmes and activities are being extended to other target groups including women and girls in deprived regions, reaching out to students in secondary schools as well as implementation of activities for the elderly. All activities related to Women's Empowerment, are as from this year managed by the National Women's Council.
· Activities at the level of Women Empowerment Centres comprise, mainly the following:
Implementation of Projects/Courses implemented and dispensed by the National Women's Council
Courses dispensed by Home Economics Unit
Awareness campaigns on gender and other thematic areas
· Event- Celebration of the International Women's Day 2023
The Ministry celebrated the International Women's Day is held as a yearly feature. This Year, same was celebrated on the Sunday 05 March 2023 at the Swamy Vivekananda International Convention Centre around the theme: “Madam dans le monde dizital: inclusion, egalite, opportunite", whereby some 10, 500 guests attended the event. One of the highlights of the event was the launching of the National Strategy and Costed Action Plan for Women Entrepreneurship Development in Mauritius.
· National Strategy Action Plan on the Elimination of GBV
The National Strategy Action Plan on the Elimination of GBV is being spearheaded by the Family Welfare and Protection Unit and implemented by all key Collaborators. The Gender Unit also forms part in the endeavour. Sub-Strategy Component 1 Output 12 which calls for “Awareness raising on stigmatization based on marginalized groups" is being implemented by Gender Unit through Capacity Building Programme for NGOs. Previous Programmes have already been conducted for Officials of Social Security, Police/Health Personnel in the month of May 2022. Now focus is laid on NGOs so that relevant information pertaining to the theme is trickled down to all members of NGOs and ultimately reach out people at grass root.
The 325 participants for Dialogue Forums would include:
- members of Social Welfare Committees and Group Leaders
- Programme Assistants, Supervisors and Regional Committees
- CDA Members, Regional Women's Associations/Women Associations
- members of Youth Wings, Council of Religion and Religious Organisations and
- Participants of NGOs under MACOSS
· UNDP Project
With a view to encourage more women in the decision making and political sphere, the Ministry in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) is implementing a project called ''Promoting the presence and Leadership of Women within Public Institutions at National and Local Levels''. Financial assistance to the tune of $80,000 has been provided to the Ministry and a letter of agreement has been signed between the Ministry and UNDP as from DEC 2022 to undertake the project in a phase -wise manner.
.png?rev=43)