Mauritius: Women’s agency, voices and perspectives

Plis Ki Enn Kota (More Than a Quota): Gender Links to Host Symposium on March 30, 2024, on the Theme “Democratic Consolidation: Women’s Agency, Voices, and Perspectives”

Three weeks ago, Gender Links launched its new campaign “More Than a Quota,” a petition initiated by Gender Links, the Gender Equality Foundation and citizens of Mauritius, aimed at advocating for increased representation of women in Mauritian politics. It is worth noting that “Mauritius is one of the first countries with which the EU has established a political dialogue on gender issues,” as stated by the EU Ambassador to the Republic of Mauritius in 2022.

Key political figures expected to attend on Saturday, March 30, include Mr. Oskar Benedikt, Ambassador of the European Union to Mauritius, Ms. Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and Mr. Rama Sithanen, GCSK.

The program includes speeches and interventions by these high-level European and UN representatives, debate and sharing sessions, question-and-answer sessions, a roundtable discussion with Satyajit Boollel, former Director of Public Prosecutions, Lovania Pertab, President of Transparency Mauritius, Sheila Bunwaree, Lead Researcher of the study “Women in Politics in the Republic of Mauritius,” and Johanne Ranoojee, co-founder of La Politique Expliquée Aux Jeunes (LPEAJ), the first Political Literacy Platform in Mauritius. The day will conclude with a slam poetry performance by Nicolas Frichot on “Women in Politics.”

Under the guidance of Ms. Anushka Virahsawmy, director of Gender Links Mauritius, and Ms. Mohini Bali, founder of the Gender Equality Foundation, participants in the symposium will have the opportunity to assess the involvement of women in politics. Despite 56 years of independence, Mauritius is far from achieving gender parity in politics, with women remaining significantly underrepresented in Parliament and the government. As of 2024, Mauritius has only 5 female ministers, the highest number of ministries led by women to date.

The purpose of this symposium is to stimulate public discourse on the need for political parties to include more women as candidates, especially in light of the upcoming general elections. This event aligns with the strategy of the WPP (Women’s Political Participation) program in Mauritius, which aims to dismantle social and cultural barriers to women’s participation in political and democratic life.

Join us on Saturday, March 30, for a strategic reflection on the representation of women in politics, a crucial element in promoting equality, diversity, and more inclusive and representative governance in Mauritius.

Download the concept note.

Sign the petition