Africa-Press – Mauritius. A Digital Safety campaign was launched yesterday at Voilà Bagatelle as part of the national commemoration of International Human Rights Day. The event also marked the conclusion of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, observed under the theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie; the Minister of Education and Human Resource, Dr Mahend Gungapersad; the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation (ICT), Dr Avinash Ramtohul; the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Mrs Lisa Simrique Singh; and the Ombudsperson for Children, Mrs Aneeta Ghoorah; along with several other personalities.
Organised by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Mauritius, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, the Ministry of ICT, the Ministry of Education and Human Resource, and the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children, the campaign seeks to promote safe and responsible digital engagement among youth, families and the population.
The launch featured the release of a booklet and a series of video reels on digital safety designed for children, teenagers and parents. The materials showcase DIVA, the Ministry of ICT’s official digital persona which delivers AI-driven messages promoting respectful and secure online behaviour.
In her address, Minister Navarre-Marie stressed the urgency of protecting children in an era where young people spend long hours online from an early age. While the digital world offers valuable learning opportunities, it also exposes children to significant risks, she said. Cyber threats, she cautioned, can severely affect individuals and families, undermining dignity and wellbeing.
According to her there is need to build digital resilience, raise awareness on manipulation, misinformation and inappropriate content, and create a safe online environment for all children. The campaign embodies a commitment to ensuring that every child can study, communicate and play online without fear, she said.
Minister Gungapersad highlighted that women and children remain statistically the most vulnerable to digital threats. On that score he underlined the importance of sensitisation and responsible communication, noting that digital safety is essential to mental health and overall wellbeing.
For Dr Ramtohul the rising number of cybercrimes an average of 17 cases recorded daily is a call for stronger protections. With 82.5% of the population connected to the internet and over 70% active on social media platforms, he outlined Government measures namely CyberCOP to regulate children’s online access, AI regulatory frameworks, and enhanced mechanisms to trace cyber offenders. The Minister urged parents to act responsibly and refrain from exposing their children’s personal information online. He also reiterated Government’s intention to establish digital rights as a fundamental right for every Mauritian.
Referring to the integral role of technology in daily life, Mrs Ghoorah highlighted the need to shield children from online risks. She called on all stakeholders including the public and private sectors, schools and parents to contribute to a safer digital ecosystem. Such campaigns empower children to understand their rights, seek help when needed, and navigate the digital world securely, she said.
The UN Resident Coordinator underlined the importance of safeguarding human rights in an increasingly digital society. Mrs Singh commended Government’s efforts to ensure universal digital access while strengthening online safety. She expressed hope that Mauritius will emerge as a regional leader in digital protection.
