Ending domestic violence on the cabinet agenda


Date: January 1, 1970
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Real change to prevent gender violence in Mauritius is one step ahead, as a proposed National Action Plan on Domestic Violence is now on the agenda of the national Cabinet. This major accomplishment shows that that when Government and civil society join hands, the outcome can be very positive for society – in this case, vulnerable women and survivors of domestic violence.

Mauritius is taking a progressive step forward by combining the Action Plan of the Ministry of Women’s Rights, Child Development and Family Welfare on Domestic Violence, with that created by Media Watch Organisation-GEMSA, to make a comprehensive national plan to address the problem of domestic violence. 
 
The country is in great need of such a plan. While police received 1200 reports of domestic violence in 2006, experts in the field confirm that this figure is likely double, as many women do not report out of fear or social stigma.
 
Of these 1200 official cases, very few received adequate response.  There are not enough shelters in Mauritius, and protection orders do not really protect women. Recently, a husband stabbed to death a woman who was under protection from him. 
 
The list of horrific cases of violence against women is indeed too long for this tiny island country of l.2 million people. In one case, the body of a dead woman killed by her husband was found in a septic tank. In another, a father killed his own daughter, who he also allegedly raped.
 
We have seen an increase in cases of incest on girls as young as four years old. Rising numbers of women living with HIV are also quite alarming. There is a link between gender violence, and HIV and AIDS that is often not recognised.   
 
The Action Plan is the culmination of a long, collaborative process. Most recently, a wide range of stakeholders validated the Plan at a 22 August workshop. At this same workshop, the Minister of Women’s Rights, Child Development and Family Welfare, Indira Seebun, and United Nations (UN) Representative in Mauritius, Claudio Caldarone reiterated their commitments to ending gender violence.
 
“One case is too many,” rightly pointed out Seebun. According to Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra, Ombudsperson for children, “boys who are traumatised can keep perpetuating this violence, and girls may believe that this is normal.”
 
To prevent this, the Action Plan provides for awareness and sensitisation campaigns in schools and tertiary education. “Children, whatever their age, must be able to identify the symptoms of violence and know measures that can be taken,” Cziffra said.
 
Members of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), religious bodies and the broad cross section of government who participated in a three-day workshop convened by Media Watch Organisation-GEMSA and the South African-based Gender Links in October 2006 are now rejoicing. Held under the banner “365 days of action to end gender violence,” the October workshop identified a range of priority actions.
 
These included the passing of a Sexual Offences Bill; simplification of procedures for implementing the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act and an audit of services available to survivors of sexual assault with a view to ensuring that survivors of gender violence have ready access to redress as well as comprehensive treatment and care under one roof. The Action Plan will address all of these.
 
Rehabilitation of perpetrators is one of the priorities of the Plan. Ruby Thomair, a survivor of ten years of domestic violence points to rehabilitation and working in partnership with men as key to change.
 
“For the past two years I am living happily with my husband and my children, and all this because my husband went into rehabilitation at Centre de Solidarite and participated in a dance drama called Mirak by Media Watch Organisation. Mirak has been a real miracle. This is why I strongly believe in rehabilitation more than anything else.”
 
She adds, “For too long we have heard of all sorts of help and yet violence of all sorts is on the rise. Nothing concrete is happening and women continue to bear the brunt of domestic violence. Violent men will always remain violent until something is done for them,” she says.
 
For Mario Poisson, the step forward is a refreshing change to the usual talk with no action. The former substance abuser and Chair of the Comite Quartier Camp Levieux, an NGO working to empower vulnerable women, men and children through training and capacity building, was one of the participants at the October workshop.
 
“To tell you the truth when we did not hear anything happening after the workshop although we were told that the Action Plan went to the Minister of Women and Minister of Human Rights, we lost all hope and said to ourselves that as usual Mauritius is a country of workshops and seminars, where nothing happens. We are now happy that the Action Plan of the Ministry and that of MWO-GEMSA have been combined.”
 
Poisson is optimistic about the Action Plan. “Once the plan is approved, women will know what door to knock on and where to go for help and what kind of help they can be given. For too long women have suffered in silence and it is about time they are encouraged to talk and know there are people out there who is offering a helping hand.”
 
The Plan of Action provides for the construction of shelters throughout the island within three years, as well as appropriate, accessible, timely and coordinated multi-agency responses and support to victims. It prioritises improving legislation on Domestic Violence and strengthening of the justice system and other agencies response.
 
In terms of prevention, the Plan seeks to sensitise people, change attitudes, promote responsible reporting, and encourage community leaders to discuss domestic violence.
 
The task is now for NGOs, government and service providers to walk the talk, and make sure that the Action Plan translates into action with monitoring and evaluation and ongoing coordination. By comparing notes, fixing what is not working, and building on successes, the plan can live up to the “action” part of its name.
 
Loga Virahsawmy is the President of Media Watch Organisation in Mauritius. This article is part of the Gender Links Opinion and Commentary Service that provides fresh views on everyday news.


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