Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Kalpana Devi Koonjoo-Shah, chaired a meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission Chief for Mauritius, Ms Mariana Colacelli, accompanied by the Advisor to Executive Director of IMF, Mr Kelvio da Silveira, yesterday, at the seat of her Ministry, in Port Louis.
The bilateral meeting constituted an opportunity to take stock of the IMF’s collaboration with the Ministry on gender issues and to further discussions on gender equality and women empowerment.
Several salient issues relating to gender gaps in Mauritius were identified and deliberated on. Moreover, key measures initiated at the policy, monetary, legal and implementation levels by the Ministry, and the progress made in the realisation of the Gender Strategy were outlined.
As regards gender mainstreaming, it has been outlined that the policies devised by the Gender Unit align with the international and regional instruments on women’s rights and gender equality.
Endeavours made to incorporate the gender dimension in development programmes include the adoption of the National Gender Policy (2022-2030); the setting up of a National Steering Committee on Gender Mainstreaming and an InterMinisterial Gender Technical Working Committee; the strengthening of Gender Cells in all Ministries; private sector and civil society collaborations; and communication campaigns.
Furthermore, the introduction and implementation of the Gender Responsive Budgeting Initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry, in view to allocating financial resources for gender-specific programmes, was dwelt upon. It was also announced that the Gender Equality Bill is currently in the pipeline.
A series of efforts made to foster women advancement including the revamping of Women Empowerment Centres into Wellness Centres, outreach programs targeting deprived regions and secondary schools, the National Strategy Action Plan on the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence were spoken of in detail.
Additionally, the meeting took note of the National Strategy and Costed Action Plan for Women Entrepreneurship Development, mandating the revamping of the National Women Entrepreneur Council to become an apex body for women entrepreneurship in Mauritius.
The Investment Climate Reform Facility has been approached for the provision of technical assistance, in this regard. In a statement, Ms Colacelli indicated that the meeting was an opportunity to delve into the gender issues in Mauritius and to apprise of the progress made.
Such discussions promote forward-thinking and are crucial in determining the potent ways the IMF can extend its support to bridge the gender gaps in the country, she pointed out.
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