Breaking the Silence - Exploring solutions to end Gender Based Violence

Balaclava, Mauritius: On the 25 of November 2024 the United Nations in Mauritius joined with the Australian High Commission, U.S. Embassy, European Union and French Embassy  to hold a high-level panel discussion to kickstart the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Taking place each year the 16 Days is global campaign bringing the spotlight to the most pervasive breaches of human rights - violence against women. The campaign commences on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day.

Globally an estimated 736 million women—almost one in three—have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life that is 30% of women aged 15 and older. This figure does not include sexual harassment.[1] 

The women in Mauritius fare no better with the latest available figures showing that around 24% of women had experienced some form of GBV. and it should be noted that cases of violence and abuse within the confines of a home, cases against vulnerable people such as people with disability are often unreported.[2] This comes at a significant cost not just to the women concerned but to their families, their communities and to the country. With gender-based violence, - No One Wins; Everyone Loses.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Lisa Singh in her opening remarks reiterated the United Nations Commitment to Leave No One Behind in this fight against violence: 

“Let us remember that the 16 Days of Activism is not just a campaign; it is a call to action every single day of the year!  Fighting this requires addressing deep-rooted systemic biases and therefore need for partnership with all stakeholders to change attitudes, improve access to opportunities, transform societies where equality, dignity, and respect prevail.”

To set the scene for the panel discussion, the Australian High Commission with local non-governmental organization (NGO), Passerelle previewed a series of short videos under its Green Flag Project, a campaign to promote male allyship as an essential and often overlooked lever for impactful strategies to fight against GBV. 

 The panel discussion entitled “Breaking the Silence - Exploring solutions to end Gender-Based Violence” provided the opportunity to start a conversation on strategies to address violence against women and girls in society and catalyze action. Recognizing that issues such as GBV impact all of society, therefore, require a whole of society approach the panelists comprised representatives from government, the diplomatic community, civil society and the private sector. Issues such as the actual effectiveness of the implementation of laws to support the victim; enhance service delivery to victims/survivors and monitor the enforcement of agreed protocols; societal attitudes which create an enabling environment for violence; and best practice to address gender-based violence were explored.

 High Commissioner, H.E. Ms. Kate Chamley outlined the alarming rates of gender-based violence globally, including in Australia, and discussed her country’s new strategy titled “Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality” designed to drive action on women’s safety, sharing and valuing care, economic equality, women’s health, and women’s leadership, representation and decision making. 

U.S. Ambassador to Mauritius, H.E. Mr. Henry Jardine shared, “The United States is committed to continuous efforts to address the scourge of gender-based violence through educational programs, advocacy, and support for victims.  Through the U.S. Department of State’s exchange programs, we send young Mauritian professionals to the United States every year. They gain valuable insight that enables them to impact their local communities.  Over the last decade, the U.S. Embassy has hosted workshops to strengthen the capacity of police, prosecutors, and healthcare professionals to prosecute sex traffickers and care for victims of gender-based violence.”

While Mr. Marios Vitos, Charge d’Affaires, a.i., Delegation of the EU to Mauritius underscored “In Mauritius the EU’s dedicated annual Gender Policy Dialogue with the Ministry of Gender Equality & Family Welfare, bears testimony of joint efforts to place gender equality and girls and women's empowerment at the top of our agenda.”

The panel discussion sparked a lively Q&A session with the audience regarding the significant tangible and intangible costs of GBV to the victims/survivors, and communities and an exploration of opportunities for concrete action. The French Embassy representative highlighted that “…women's rights and gender equality is a first-rate priority of [France’s] foreign policy. France is in the process of finalizing a new strategy for feminist diplomacy. It uses all the instruments at its disposal to combat violence against women.”

The United Nations in Mauritius will be collaborating with our partners on Day 15 of the 16 Days to raise awareness and engage youth around GBV issues with an academic University Quiz Challenge.

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End Notes:

Panel:

Ms. A. Veerasawmy, Director Gender Links (Moderator)

H.E. Ms. Kate Chamley, Australian High Commissioner

H.E. Mr. Henry Jardine, U.S. Ambassador to Mauritius

Mr. Marios Vitos, Charge d’Affaires, a.i. of the Delegation of the European Union to Mauritius

Representative from the Ministry of Gender Equality (tbc)

Ms. Mokshda Pertaub, Director, M Power

Mr. Kevin Ramkaloan, CEO, Business Mauritius.

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What is GBV?

Gender based violence involves any harmful threat or act directed at an individual or group based on actual or perceived biological sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation and/or lack of adherence to varying socially constructed norms around masculinity and femininity. Find out more about the UNite Campaign.

[1] UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls | UN Women – Headquarters

[2] PMO - National Strategy TP FINAL WEB.pdf (govmu.org)