There is a need for more women in Parliament and in the private sector. This was said by the Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam during the International Women’s Day celebrations held by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family at the Centre de Conference in Grand Baie on Tuesday. Present on the occasion [...]

There is a need for more women in Parliament and in the private sector. This was said by the Prime Minister Dr Navin Ramgoolam during the International Women’s Day celebrations held by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family at the Centre de Conference in Grand Baie on Tuesday.

Present on the occasion were numerous other ministers, officers of the public sector, national women’s council and members of the public.

“Women have come a long way and this can be seen as we have a woman at the presidency of Mauritius. However, there is still a difference in the private sector. There are more men at the top posts in the private sector and this must change as women have the same capabilities as men,” he said.

He added that a quota system must be introduced so that there are more women in parliament.

“PTr has always favoured merit but I think that we should introduce the quota system. Women must realise their capabilities, however there is also the fact that women hesitate to enter politics because some people attack their personal life. Some mindsets have not changed at all,” said Dr Ramgoolam.

Nowadays, men and women do the same jobs with similar work schedules. However, discrimination is still a societal problem to fight against.

“To promote equality of opportunity, the Ministry of Women even changed its name to the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare. Every effort is being made to ensure that women receive a better status in society,” said Dr Ramgoolam.

He cited the example of the law against domestic violence in 1997 and the installation of cameras on the roads.

“Government has gone ahead with the installation of cameras for the safety of Mauritians and this will greatly help women from being attacked,” he said.

The Prime Minister took the opportunity to also announce the setting up of an Institute for Women’s Diseases.

“We have discussions with those of the Institute for Women’s Diseases in United Kingdom and we want to have the same standards here. We are now looking for a site,” he said.

Minister Sheila Bappoo said that it is only through women’s full and equal participation in all areas of public and private life that a sustainable, peaceful and just society can be achieved.

According to the Central Statistics Office, 60 per cent of Mauritians who are unemployed are women. “This means that we have a potential female who is staying idle and does not contribute to the modernisation of Mauritius,” said Bappoo Top positions in the work sector around the world are mostly allocated to men. “We are aware that Mauritius is a patriarchal society, but we should celebrate the fact that an effort is being made to break these barriers,” said Bappoo.