Model Commission on the Status of Women 

Minister Daureeawoo calls for review of gender equality approach 

“It is only through formal and informal education that we would be able to progressively bring change in society and eventually a change in mentality. This may lead to recognition that girls and boys need to have the same treatment and equal chance in decision making processes.” 

This statement was made by Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, at the launching of the Model Commission on the Status of Women on Thursday 30 March 2017, at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, Moka.

Women’s roles are still considered in so many countries as non-contributive and insignificant, added Minister Daureeawoo. Speaking to participants, for the two-day session to be held on Thursday and Friday, she said that they will have the opportunity to exchange and share ideas on the development process that women have been confronted to, in different countries and in different spheres.

Several strategies have been adopted by government to contribute to gender equality, such as enactment on laws. The Parliamentary Gender Caucus has been set up. At the level of each Ministry, a Gender Focal Point has been established.

“These last two years, the government has been taking the boldest stands to raise the status of women. A lady president, a lady Speaker at the National Assembly, and more recently, a lady Chairperson of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly,” said Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo. “This reflects a strong commitment and a strong leadership. Government has a key role to play in facilitating a development strategy that promotes Gender Equality. I’m convinced that this is the case.”

To promote gender equality, men and women should work together, said the Minister. “It is a national concern which needs the intervention of all Ministries, private sector and civil society.  It is only by this synergy that we would be able to strengthen the services dispensed to women and address prejudices encountered by them.”

She encourages young people to come forward with innovative ideas and strategies which can give a helping hand, to engage more men and boys in the fight against stereotypes and to address the existing gender gaps.

To align with the mandate of the Ministry i.e. promoting gender equality, the government has repealed the National Women’s Council Act 1985 and replaced it by NWC Act 2016, which promotes gender in development approach. With the enactment of this legislation, the Council will have to rejuvenate the Women Associations and have nine regional committees instead of four currently.

The women’s associations would be called upon to become either more dynamic in terms of coming forward with issues and concerns of women and lobbying with the regional committees so as the women’s matter are taken on board during the National Committee meeting. The Council will have to act that advocate and forward the needs of women to policy makers at the level of the parent Ministry.

It is for the second consecutive year that the National Women’s Council is renewing its initiative to run the “Model Commission on the status of Women”.  Some 300 students participated as delegates, representing 44 member countries of the UN.

The CSW is the yearly event organised by the UN in March, in New York, where every member state is called upon to give an expose of the situation of women in their countries. The National Women Council’s website has also been launched on Thursday morning (www.nwc.govmu.org).