The SADC Protocol alliance is a network actively present in 15 countries of the SADC. In Mauritius, the organisation is composed of a network of NGOs and individuals working towards a variety of social issues such as drug addiction, HIV and AIDS, poverty, violence towards women and children, sex work, disability, LGBTI, empowerment of women and girls and literacy amongst others.
It is with great concern that the Mauritian Chapter of the SADC Protocol Alliance has viewed the statements made by some Ministers thus urging women to have more children so as to ensure the sustainable development of the country and palliating the effect of the ageing population in Mauritius.
Whilst the Alliance understands and appreciates the concerns of the Ministers, it is worthy to point out that we are unfortunately still living in a patriarchal society – until today and to this very minute, our girls and women are victims of gender inequalities (including violence) in all spheres of the term.
Ironically though, it is mostly women who have to carry the burden of family care and welfare on their shoulders. If Poverty had to be personified in terms of gender, it would sadly be that of a woman.
It is a fact that gender-based violence is a routine for most of us and rape is a daily commodity in Mauritius.
In 2015, there were 6,035 cases of sexual violence and 428 cases of sexual abuse reported to the Child Development Unit of which 90% of the perpetrators are family members. According to a report from the Ministry of Health dated 9 July 2015, teenage pregnancy has been on the increase from 10.9% to 12.1%. In 2014, 1,210 women between the ages of 15-19 gave birth compared to 1,106 in 2013. From January to July 2016, 114 cases of teenage pregnancy were reported. These are only official cases and do not include backstreet abortions.
Of all the countries in Africa involved in a study by the World Health Organisation, Mauritius is the only one having earned a negative ratio for maternal mortality between 1990 to 2013. According to figures provided by the Ministry of Health, 9 women out of 1,000 died after giving birth in 2013. Back in 2000, 4 out of 1,000 women met with a tragic end. Maternal mortality is not acceptable in any country of the world.
When comparing the latest statistics of all age groups in terms of unemployment in Mauritius, there are more females than males who are unemployed even though women are more qualified than men among the unemployed population.
According to the 2015 Annual report of the Ombudsperson for Children, children are at risk in shelters. There is a lack of facilities for children with disabilities. The majority of cases reported at the Office of the Ombudsperson in 2014-2015 were children at risk, neglected and facing exploitation, child labour and prostitution.
What is the future of those ‘children’ who are themselves giving birth and living in promiscuity and precarious conditions? Do we want such a future where we have not been able to deal with this growing and this high priority issue?
What about child prostitution and trafficking? What about incest, rape and single parents who are mostly women? What about girls having to go to shelters? Have we thought of all the ‘Stanley Staceys’ of Mauritius? Are we thinking of women being murdered by their husbands and women bearing the brunt of climate change and food security? What about all the girls having to leave school to look after their siblings?
We too are concerned with the future of Mauritius, Ministers. But we want all Mauritians, girls, boys, women, men and the elderly to live in a safe environment where gender justice will prevail. It is only when Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) has been attained that we can ask women to have more children.
23rd May 2016
For more information on the SADC Protocol Alliance, contact the focal person on: +230 5499 2720
Facebook Comments