Given that the National Gender Policy spans an eight-year period, the Ministry remains firmly committed to sustaining and further strengthening gender mainstreaming across the public sector, including Rodrigues.
The implementation process has now entered a second phase, extending the gender mainstreaming agenda beyond Government to Academia, Civil Society Organisations, the Media and the Private Sector, thereby ensuring a more comprehensive and inclusive approach.
In Rodrigues, a Gender Policy has been developed and support is being provided to establish a gender monitoring mechanism aligned with the National Gender Policy.
6. Sectoral Achievements in Gender Mainstreaming
Across Government, Gender Cells are actively driving gender mainstreaming, and significant progress is being achieved in multiple sectors. Some of which are as follows: -
- In the Ministry of Arts and Culture, awareness on gender-based violence has been strengthened and women's achievements have been highlighted through the podcast “Zistwar Fanm Artis", showcasing women across various disciplines, thereby challenging stereotypes and providing role models for younger generations.
- In the Ministry of Commerce and Consumer Protection, gender-responsive workplace reforms have been further strengthened, including flexible working arrangements, staff training, improved workplace safety, dedicated parking facilities for pregnant officers, and the installation of electric shutters at the Legal Metrology Services, among other measures.
- In the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms, efforts have likewise played a leading role in fostering a more inclusive, equitable and respectful public service. The Ministry continues to ensure equal treatment of officers irrespective of gender and has strengthened transparency through the monitoring of workplace disputes and representations using sex-disaggregated data. Particularly noteworthy is the proposal to extend retirement on marriage grounds to male officers. This reflects the principle that rights, benefits and opportunities should not be determined by gender, but should be equally accessible to all public officers. The Ministry has also championed gender-inclusive language in official communications and job descriptions, which, although seemingly simple, plays an important role in challenging stereotypes and ensuring that institutions reflect the values of equality and inclusiveness.
- In the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, the WISETO project (Women in Science, Engineering, Technology and Other STEM-related fields) has been initiated as a first-of-its-kind regional platform aimed at strengthening women's participation in STEM fields. It promotes collaboration, mentorship and skills development to encourage more girls to pursue science and technology, thereby opening up strong career prospects in high-demand areas such as digital technology, engineering, research and innovation.
- In the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, gender considerations have been integrated into climate action through a Gender Analysis and Action Plan aimed at increasing women's participation in environmental governance and green jobs, particularly in a context where climate-related sectors remain male-dominated, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields.
- The Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries has organised awareness programmes for women planters and housewives to inform them about grants, schemes and facilities available in agriculture and farming. It has also held a panel discussion under the theme “Exploring the Ocean: Youth, Gender and Social Awareness", aimed at promoting equal opportunities for women in marine education, research and employment. These initiatives are particularly important as women remain underrepresented in sectors such as fisheries, marine sciences and the blue economy, despite the significant opportunities these areas offer.
- In the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Gender Cells have supported health promotion initiatives such as the ten-day screening campaign in collaboration with UNFPA, as well as national breastfeeding awareness campaigns to strengthen maternal and child health outcomes.
- In the Ministry of Youth and Sports, more than 237 officers have been trained on gender mainstreaming and gender-based violence.
These achievements demonstrate that gender mainstreaming is no longer theoretical but a lived reality across Government, driven by institutional mechanisms and Gender Cells within Ministries.
- Way Forward
The funding for Gender Mainstreaming Programmes is essential to support the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare in achieving its strategic objectives for gender equality across all sectors. This funding will ensure that gender considerations are systematically integrated into national and sectoral policies, programs, and decision-making processes, in line with both national commitments and international standards.
The allocation will facilitate key activities such as the National Steering Committee on Gender Mainstreaming and Inter-Ministerial Gender Technical Working Committee meetings, which are vital for coordinating gender equality efforts across ministries. This committee structure ensures that gender issues are addressed at the highest levels of government and that policies are consistently aligned with the objectives of gender equality.
Moreover, the funding will sustain the Gender Cells in the public sector, which are crucial for implementing gender-responsive actions within government ministries. These cells ensure that each ministry integrates gender considerations into their plans and projects, advancing the government's commitment to gender equality. The provision will also support the launching of the Guidelines and to establish working sessions with additional sectors namely Academia, Civil Society Organisations, the Media and the Private Sector. By broadening the scope of gender mainstreaming, the Ministry will ensure a more comprehensive approach to gender equality across all sectors of society.
The funding will also contribute to the implementation of the Recommendations of the National Gender Policy (NGP) 2022-2030, a crucial document that outlines the framework for addressing gender inequalities in Mauritius. This includes the development of Sectoral Gender Policies and Action Plans for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, providing a concrete roadmap for gender equality within the Ministry itself. Additionally, the increased provision will support the Capacity Building Programme for Ministry officers, ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to drive gender mainstreaming effectively.
The sustenance of gender institutional mechanisms in Rodrigues and extension of same in Agalega, as recommended in the NGP, is a vital step in ensuring that gender mainstreaming reaches all parts of Mauritius. This will help ensure that gender policies and programs are accessible and applicable to women in Rodrigues, thus fostering nationwide equality.
v WOMEN EMPOWERMENT CENTRES AND WOMEN WELLNESS CENTRE
| S/N | WOMEN EMPOWERMENT CENTRE | CONTACT DETAILS |
| 1 | Paillotte Women Empowerment Centre | Sony Lane, Paillotte Tel: 427 9644 |
| 2 | Flacq Women Empowerment Centre | Royal Road, Flacq Near Auguste Volaire Stadium Tel: 413 2124 |
| 3 | Lallmatie Women Empowerment Centre | NDU Complex Royal Road, Lallmatie Tel : 418 7623 |
| 4 | Dagotiere Women Empowerment Centre | Royal Road, Dagotière Tel: 433 8626 |
| 5 | Rose Hill Women Empowerment Centre | 9th Floor NPF Building Tel: 4605912 |
| 6 | Baie Du Tombeau Women Empowerment Centre | Cité Florida, Baie du Tombeau Tel: 247 3190 |
| 7 | Camp La Boue Women Empowerment Centre | Camp La Boue Residence Mandela Terre Rouge Tel: 4053300 |
| 8 | Richelieu Women Empowerment Centre | Winston Churchill Road Richelieu Tel: 2337003 |
| | WOMEN WELLNESS CENTRE | CONTACT DETAILS |
| | Floréal Women Wellness Centre | Pierre Simonet Street, Floréal Tel: 698 0034 |
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