Mary Coopan

Mary Coopan


Date: March 4, 2011
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My Learning Journey

The last time I did this exercise I really took at least a week to think about it all and both Carla and I kept delaying to the last minute, it’s almost the same thing this time! Where should I start and what should I relate?

This year has been tedious, seeking meetings with the different management officials of the Councils was still easy and I had good welcome. They listened respectfully as I engaged in the Centre of Excellence project and accepted graciously the relevant publications. I was promised both by the elected members and the administration full adhesion and collaboration for the COE.

Then it was an ordeal getting things started. I had to almost harass the liaison officers to get the documents filled, at one place it was a ‘pass the buck’ device and at one end the person would complain how she is the only staff already having many things to do and you could feel that you and your program were a thorn in their feet. I got the same feeling almost everywhere. No one bothered. Port-Louis, the capital of Mauritius, never responded, followed by Grand Port Savanne.

All of this was a contrast with the positive attitude shown by the new Minister of Local Government who gave his word that he would have the final say and upper hand on local authorities!

The meeting with the Permanent Assistant Secretary of the Heads of Local Authorities about the MOU with GL was unimaginable: as if they were liberated and could vent all interior feelings: how they feel that GL has been imposed on them all this time, why should GL dictate them how to work, etc. Adding to this is that the Minister has retracted from his earlier commitment and delegated the decisions to the Local Authorities.

The average number of participants in workshops was low, councilors almost nonexistent and cadres, if present, would come and go due to exigencies of service. At the same time, local elections were in the pipeline and priorities were elsewhere and they still are. It is a “wait and see” situation.

But I did my workshops where I was welcomed and those who came did actively participate. I had to adjust but the satisfaction shown and expressed by the participants was my joy, especially the SADC Protocol workshops with the grassroot-level people. Village people in the community or associations are more eager to learn and I have many requests to go back next year in the regions.

My last shock was the receipt of a letter on Monday from Moka/Flacq District Council. I have been working with the District Council’s officer a lot and he had a very nice pilot project in one villages for the 16 Days. The Council rejected his proposed program and “decided that henceforth it will collaborate with the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare in the organization of activities relating the gender issues”.

I am keeping up a smiling face but I am really bad this year, things are not getting better and I have in mind a remark from one male Assistant Chief Executive Officer from one district council with whom I was complaining about the absence of officers in the workshop. He said, “Gender Links has been doing workshops everywhere, but every day we read many cases of violence against women in the papers, so what’s the use?”

Mary Coopan is the Gender Justice and Local Government Facilitator in Mauritius.

 


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