The Future of Gender Equality in Mauritius’ Digital and ICT Sector

The year 2025 is a significant milestone in the global journey towards gender equality, marking 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This landmark framework, established at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, continues to serve as a global guide for promoting gender equality and empowering women.

In celebration of International Women’s Day this March, the United Nations in Mauritius collaborated with the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation, along with the University of Mauritius, to host a Roundtable Discussion. This event, aligned with the global theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” highlighted the pressing need to ensure equal rights, power, and opportunities for women and girls—leaving no one behind.

The Roundtable brought together diverse stakeholders to address challenges and explore opportunities for women in Mauritius’ ICT sector. The choice of topic was deliberate: while ICT offers vast potential for national growth and innovation, significant barriers still limit women’s participation. Statistics reveal that women occupy only 10–15% of ICT positions in Mauritius, a figure notably below the global average. Despite excelling in education, Mauritian women are less likely to be employed and face greater hurdles when seeking work.

In her opening remarks, the UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms. Lisa Simrique Singh, acknowledged the resilience of women in Mauritius:

 “There are many women making a big difference every day here in Mauritius. Despite facing obstacles such as bias, limited leadership opportunities, and pay disparities, these women continue to inspire us with their impact and determination.”

The Honourable Avinash Ramtohul, Minister of Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation, emphasized the need for policy reforms to bridge the gender gap. He stated:

“Mauritius must invest in initiatives like scholarships for young women in ICT, mentorship programmes, and partnerships with global organizations like the ITU to encourage more girls to pursue careers in digital and tech fields.” 

Echoing this sentiment, the Honourable Anishta Babooram, Junior Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, reaffirmed her Ministry’s commitment to increasing women’s participation in ICT. She highlighted plans for collaboration with the Ministry of ICT to develop a gender-responsive policy and action plan tailored to the sector.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mauritius added that higher education, research, and innovation play a pivotal role in fostering a more inclusive digital landscape.

The Roundtable’s discussions delved into actionable measures to close gender gaps, including updating the education system, implementing gender-inclusive workplace policies, launching mentorship programs, and strengthening digital safety and cybercrime legislation. Together, these steps are vital to building a future where women in ICT can thrive, contributing to a more equitable and empowered Mauritius.