Webinar Taiex Expert Meeting on Domestic Violence Mauritius

June 21, 2021

Taiex Expert Meeting on Domestic Violence, organized in collaboration with the EU Delegation in Mauritius and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare of Mauritius. The webinar took place on 16, 17 and 18 June 2021.

A serious social problem

The Protection from Domestic Violence Act (PDVA) was enacted in 1997 for the protection of spouses against domestic violence. It was subsequently amended in 2004, 2007, 2011 and 2016. In spite of legislations and on-going improvements in terms of institutional support in order to address this issue, there is a widespread feeling that domestic violence is a serious social problem facing Mauritian households, more particularly Mauritian women.

Stronger legislative framework

Moreover, in 2020, 2425 cases of domestic violence were reported to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare and we witnessed an increase in the number of reported cases of domestic violence as compared to the same period in 2018/19, i.e 1527 cases. As a direct response to the increased reporting of domestic violence in Mauritius, the Ministry is envisaging to further amend the Protection from Domestic Violence Act so as to strengthen the legislation to offer a stronger legislative framework for reinforced protection of women victims of violence.

Speakers

Mrs Kira Uiterdijk Appel
Head of Department in the Ministry for Gender Equality/Chief Consultant for the Minister for Equal Opportunities, Denmark

Mrs Pascale Franck
Co-director of the Family Justice Center Antwerp, Belgium and Vice-president of the EFJCA

Mrs Chantal Molinès
Delegate for Women’s rights and Equality, Ministry of Social affairs, Var, France

Mrs Valerie Swennen
Senior Detective Chief Inspector, Team leader, Locale Police Minos, Belgium, partner in FJC Antwerp and trainer for the EFJCA