Additionally, as a dedicated pastor, she takes her advocacy several steps ahead : she shares the beauty and necessity of equality between men and women with the followers of her faith.

Natacha Hossanny began her career as an officer at the Municipality of Port-Louis (MPL) in 2012. She has known Gender Links (GL) since then and has witnessed the admirable endeavour of Loga Virahsawmy in training councillors on the concept of gender mainstreaming. Through the years, Hossany has observed the transition of leadership from Loga to her daughter, Anushka Virahsawmy and she says that the flame fiercely lives on. Hossanny is now a senior welfare officer at MPL and has attended several trainings on personal development, capacity building and women’s rights. She affirms that these workshops have positively contributed to her understanding of gender equality as a woman but also as an officer responsible for the welfare of inhabitants of Port-Louis.

Hossanny has emphasised the notion of gender equality in her marriage and she enthusiastically says that her husband gives a helping hand in household chores. She has similarly advocated for gender equality and welfare in actions put in place by the MPL. This has guided the MPL in implementing several facilities for councillors and inhabitants of Port-Louis. For instance, at the MPL, there is a gym including bathroom amenities which employees can use during their lunchtime or after working hours. The MPL motivates its employees who want to obtain further qualifications by giving them study grants for courses such as Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Hossanny adds that the MPL often organises community activities such as football matches and petanque. During those games, councillors of the MPL encourage both men and women to participate. This contributes to breaking the widespread bias that such activities are male-oriented and promotes gender equality.

Hossanny says that the taboo surrounding menstruation is gradually fading away at the MPL. For example, there is a degree of flexibility on sick leaves requested by women in consideration of menstrual symptoms. She adds that despite women having a professional career, they remain the primary caregivers of their children. Hence, women are often late for work as they have to arrange for their children’s daycare. The MPL has made working hours flexible for women who are responsible for childcare. There are five nurseries and 12 primary schools free-of-charge in Port-Louis, which relieves the financial burden of children’s education on parents.
Hossanny relates that such measures have been particularly beneficial to a couple who lives on a meagre income in a poor neighbourhood and has triplets. The father is a carpenter, and the mother is unemployed. The MPL has provided them with financial support to cater for the needs of their three babies and they have benefitted from a free nursery in their surroundings. This practical and financial relief has allowed the mother to find a job and support her family financially.

Hossanny highlights that gender equality has also gradually paved its way in the structural hierarchy at the MPL. Men still occupy the highest-ranking positions, but women have scratched the surface of the glass ceiling as they occupy the second highest ranking positions in several departments. Furthermore, Hossanny says that women are increasingly designated for inspection of construction sites and markets, a duty which was previously given only to men. She relates that she has herself had the opportunity of doing a site visit at the market and she liked the dynamic experience of being on the field. Hossanny reiterates that she holds the concepts of gender mainstreaming and gender equality at heart and aims at further advocating for such noble causes in her position as senior welfare officer at MPL. Additionally, as a dedicated pastor, she takes her advocacy several steps ahead : she shares the beauty and necessity of equality between men and women with the followers of her faith. Hossanny highlights that initiatives for the promotion of gender equality are also put forward by the Ministry, but GL brilliantly leads this march towards equality with determination and vision.

She comments that she always leaves workshops organised by GL with new knowledge acquired and a mind boiling with innovative ideas. Her message to all women is that they should believe in themselves and stand up for their well-being in society. Hossanny expresses her appreciation of the continuous efforts of GL in paving the way for gender equality and affirms that she will do her best to extend this progress at council and individual level.