annual report 2014 national women’s councilnwc.govmu.org/english/documents/annual...

NATIONAL WOMEN’S COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2014

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Tel: (+230) 2173741

Fax: (+230) 2179372

[email protected]

Tel: (+230) 2173741

Fax: (+230) 2179372

[email protected]

Tel: (+230) 2173741

Fax: (+230) 2179372

[email protected]

Tel: (+230) 2173741

Fax: (+230) 2179372

[email protected]

ANNUAL REPORT 2014

NATIONAL WOMEN’S COUNCIL

Tel: (+230) 217-3741

Fax: (+230) 217-3972

Email : [email protected]

S/N Title Page

1. Foreword of Chairperson 1

2. Who we are? 3

3. Our Corporate Profile and Governance 7

4. Organisational Structure of the NWC 10

5. Major Highlights for the year 2014 11

6. Other achievements 12

7. Strategic plan of the NWC for 2015 and Implementation Strategies 14

8. Work Plan for 2015 16

Women’s Association Unit 16

Dress Making and Related Craft Unit 18

Adult Literacy Programme 18

Project Unit 19

9. Financial Report 20

10. Financial Statements - Annex 21


TABLE OF CONTENTS

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FOREWORD

The National Women’s Council is pleased to present this Annual Report which reflects the work undertaken throughout 2014, in empowering the womenfolk. The Council has sustained its efforts in conducting Information, Education and Communication campaigns aimed at raising the awareness of young girls and women on pertinent issues related to their well-being. In addition, the Council has also consolidated its capacity building programmes, geared towards its Officers, members of the four Regional Committees and Women’s Associations affiliated, thereto. Notwithstanding the achievements made during the course of this year, there is need to acknowledge the multiple challenges which remain ahead of the Council, in terms of, the ageing population of the Women’s Associations and the loss of vibrancy amongst its members, to really push forward the women’s empowerment and gender equality agenda. To that end, the NWC will strive to re-energise the women’s movement and will strengthen its relationship with key stakeholders to achieve the gender equality goal. The NWC remains committed in its philosophy to provide the Mauritian women citizens with the appropriate, skills, tools and services to enable them to be on the same level playing field as men. These achievements would not have been possible without the support of all concerned. Our sincere thanks go to the former members of the National Committee who are to be commended for their engagement in governing the NWC. The NWC staff also deserves our acknowledgment for their work and dedication.

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WHO WE ARE?

The National Women’s Council (NWC) was set up in 1985, through an Act of Parliament and operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare. The objects of the NWC are to: (a) establish and maintain effective communication with women and organisations of women; (b)ensure coordination of activities of groups of women and organisations; (c) assist in the implementation and evaluation of Government policies as they relate to the needs of women; (d) at the request of the National Committee, co-operate and if necessary affiliate with other bodies whether in or outside Mauritius having similar aims; and (e) identify and recommend to the National Committee, actions and projects that will promote the integration of women in development. OUR VISION

Our Vision is that of a Republic of Mauritius where all women and men have equal rights and opportunities to shape society and their own lives. We work towards the promotion of women’s empowerment for the attainment of gender equality. OUR MISSION

Our Mission, as a non-sectarian corporate body is to work towards the social, economic and political empowerment of women, by adopting a Gender and Development approach. We work in partnership with other stakeholders that share the same objectives for the attainment of gender equality.

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OUR BELIEFS AND VALUES

Our Values and Beliefs shape what we do and how we work. We strongly believe that there is need to change society so that women and men have an equal say in the process of decision-making. We are also conscious that women are not a homogenous group and as an umbrella organisation for women’s groups, we articulate our programmes/ activities in such a manner that these reflect the diversity amongst the womenfolk. We believe in the fundamental dignity and human rights of all human beings and we recognise that these rights are universal, inalienable and indivisible, as uphold in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights; the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women amongst others. We also acknowledge that there is need to tackle structural inequalities to have a more equal and collaborative society. We believe that women’s voices should be heard at all levels to bring transformational changes in advancing the gender equality agenda.

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OUR CORPORATE PROFILE AND GOVERNANCE

Composition of the National Committee of the NWC:

(a) The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child

Development and Family Welfare; (b) One representative of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child

Development and Family Welfare; (c) One representative of the Ministry of Finance and Economic

Development; (d) One representative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports; (e) One representative of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources

& Tertiary Education and Scientific Research; (f) One representative of the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life; (g) The Secretary of the Council; (h) One representative of each of the five Regional Committees; (i) Three members appointed by the Minister.

As per Section 6 of the Act, the National Committee has set up Committees to assist the Council, in the performance of its functions and the exercise of its powers:

(a) Staff Committee (b) Finance Committee (c) Project Committee (d) Departmental Bid Committee

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Chairperson and Members of the National Committee

The Chairperson and Members of the National Committee for 2014 were as follows: S/N NAME PROFILE

1. Miss H.C.L How Fok Cheung Chairperson

Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare

2. Mrs M. Bali, Head Gender Unit (firm) Mrs A. Capery, Principal Assistant Secretary(Alternate)

Representative of Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare

3. Mrs N. Aubdoollah Suhootoorah, Analyst( firm) Mr. M. A. Yearoo, Analyst (Alternate)

Ministry of Finance and Economic Development

4. Mr. G. Bundhooa, Assistant Secretary(firm) Mrs A. Seereekissoon, Principal Youth Officer (Alternate)

Representative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports

5. Mrs D. Seejore, Assistant Director(firm) Mrs. G. Ramnauth, Assistant Secretary(Alternate)

Representative of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Human Resources

6. Mrs D. Allagapen, Principal Assistant Secretary(firm) Mrs S. Kalasopatan- Chellen, Assistant Secretary(Alternate)

Representative of Ministry of Health and Quality of Life

7. Mrs K. Rughoobur Representative of Pamplemousses/ Rivière du Rempart Regional Committee

8. Mrs M. Jeetah Representative of Moka/ Flacq Regional Committee

9. Mrs L. Gunessee Representative of Grand Port/ Savanne Regional Committee

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10. Mrs L. Rayapoullé Representative of Port- Louis/ Plaines Wilhems Regional Committee

11. Mrs M.Y. Edouard Representative of Rodrigues Regional Committee

12. Mrs S. Gopalsing Independent Member 13. Mrs N.B Molotoo Independent Member 14. Mrs M.N Elissacc-Foy Independent Member

Remuneration of Members of the National Committee

The President of the National Committee of the NWC was paid a monthly fee of Rs 12,350/-. All the other members were paid a fee of Rs 850/- in respect of every sitting of the Board meetings. Regarding the sub- Committee meetings, the Chairpersons and members were paid a fee of Rs 1,140/-and Rs 775/- per sitting respectively. It is to be noted that the Code of Corporate Governance for Mauritius has been adhered to.

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ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE NWC

PRESIDENT National Committee

SECRETARY

Technical Cadre

Administrative/ Financial Cadre

Programme Coordinator

Project Unit (including the

Adult Literacy

Programme) Women’s

Association Unit

Four Supervisors & Secretariat

HR Section

Finance Section & Secretariat

Registry

Transport

Procurement & Supply Section

Programme Officer

Dressmaking Unit

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MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE YEAR 2014 For the year 2014, the NWC has implemented various programmes and activities for the social, economic and political empowerment of women. (a) Social Empowerment of Women The social empowerment of women is of utmost importance to help women face the challenges of life. It entails capacity building programmes in various fields such as dressmaking, craft making and Home Economics conducted in Women Centres, Social Welfare Centres, Community Centres and Village Halls, amongst others, for their overall self- empowerment and/ or to enable them to gain employability. It also relates to the awareness-raising campaigns on a wide array of issues in a bid to address practical and strategic needs of women. Number of women benefitting from our sensitization campaigns for the year 2014 is 137,679. At the level of capacity building programmes organized by the Council targeting the womenfolk, these can be described as follows: (i) Adult Literacy Programme (ALP) Since 1986, the NWC had embarked on the Adult Literacy Programme which aims at imparting basic skills in writing, reading and numeracy so as to empower the illiterate women. The ALP consists of the Basic Literacy course; the Adult Literacy for Entrepreneurship Development course (ALED) and the Kreol Morisien. The programme was dispensed in 44 Centres and the number of trainees for the year 2014 was 857( ie 723 for Basic Literacy; 74 for ALED and 60 for Kreol Morisien). (ii) Dressmaking and Craft Unit The Dressmaking & Craft Unit of the NWC conducts training to empower women both socially and economically. Many women having benefitted from the training have set-up income- generating activities, in the respective fields and have been able to earn a living. The number of women having successfully completed their training for the year 2015 is 3,896.

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(b) Economic empowerment of Women Economic empowerment of women enables the latter to have access to income- generating activities; be self- sufficient, in order, to have a sustainable livelihood, thereby, allowing them to integrate into mainstream development. The NWC collaborates with various stakeholders, namely, the National Women Entrepreneur Council, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), amongst others, to provide, inter alia, training to women for their self- empowerment; facilitates the employability and/ or inculcate an entrepreneurship culture through the setting up of home-based activities for income-generating. Number of women empowered economically during the year 2014 is 4,672. (c)Political Empowerment of Women The NWC has sustained its programmes aimed at empowering the womenfolk in engaging into the political arena. Programmes on leadership, communication and self- assertiveness were organized during the course of 2014. Number of women sensitized during the year 2014 is 1,323 whilst the capacity of some 2,333 women has been built. Other achievements (i) Inter-College Debate Competition In the context of the International Women’s Day 2014 and in line with the implementation of the “Strategic Framework (2013-2015) on Young Women Advocating for Gender Equality”, an Inter- College Debate Competition was organized targeting secondary colleges. A total of 116 colleges signified their interest to participate, therein. However, only 45 colleges responded positively to the debate competition. Preliminaries were held on 04, 05, 06 March 2014 on the thematic “Promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Rights; Economic Empowerment of Women; and Political and Social Empowerment of Women”. On the other hand, preliminaries were held on 26 and 27 May 2014, respectively on the thematic “Gender Based Violence” and Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS. The winners were as follows: (i) Gaetan Raynal State Secondary School- Addressing Gender Based Violence and; (ii) France Boyer de la Giroday State Secondary School – Addressing Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS.

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(ii) Implementation of the Global Fund Project on HIV/ AIDS The NWC benefitted from funds from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria since January 2010 through the National AIDS Secretariat. The project was sustained and awareness-raising campaigns through the Advocacy Committees were organized. For the year 2014, 26,924 persons were reached and the project came to an end in December 2014. (iii) Rupees for Solidarity Scheme For the year 2014, some 75 vulnerable women benefitted from the Scheme and an amount of Rs 231,000 was disbursed accordingly. (iv) Capacity Building Programme for Officers During the course of 2014, the NWC has sustained its capacity building programmes for its Officers and thematic covered were, amongst others: (i) IT proficiency; (ii) Sexual and Reproductive Health; (iii) Life Skills Training; (iv) Drugs Consumption in Mauritius; (v) Equal Opportunities Act; (vi) DVD viewing on HIV/ AIDS; (vii) Family Life Education; (viii) Community Based Rehabilitation; (ix) Cyber Crime; (x) Corporate Social Responsibility; (xi) Gender Based Violence; (xii) Climate Change; and (xiii) Team Building and Conflict Management. Officers of the NWC had also the opportunity to benefit from capacity building programmes on the use of DVD materials entitled “ Women and Agriculture” and “Feminisation of Poverty” which they are constantly using during their sensitization campaigns.

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STRATEGIC PLAN & IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES OF THE NWC FOR 2015 A holistic approach is adopted by the NWC to translate into action the strategic goals for women’s empowerment and gender equality, mainly through: (i) Capacity Building; and (ii) Information, Education and Communication Campaigns.

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(i) Capacity Building Programmes

The NWC will sustain its capacity building programmes for women and its officers and will comprise the following: (i) acquisition of skills through different courses offered by the Dress Making Unit; (ii) refresher course for craft coaches; (iii) training for field staff on related issues and the gender concept through the use of Open- Distance Learning materials; (iv) sustaining capacity building programmes for members of young women’s associations; representatives of Regional Committees, Women’s Associations in order to develop their communication skills, leadership skills and to build their assertiveness. (ii) Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaigns

As part of its Strategic Direction, the NWC will consolidate its IEC campaigns which will cover all districts in Mauritius, thereby targeting women of all age group and background. For the year 2015, the priority areas of intervention for the NWC will cover the thematic of the African Women’s Decade and the gender concept.

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WORK PLAN FOR THE YEAR 2015 A. Women’s Association Unit

The Unit will organise activities during the course of 2015 for the womenfolk, the Regional Committees and Women’s Associations around the following thematic:

Young Women's Movement - addressing emerging women's issues and new

challenges facing the young women

Women in decision-making position- empowering women to engage into the political arena-enhancing the abilities and capabilities of

women through the provision of appropriate skills for them to take part in decision-making processes

Environment and Sustainable Development - enhancing the knowledge of women on adaptation and mitigation aspects of climate change as well as

to address their contribution

Agriculture - Distributing plants, kitchen gardening, visit to

nursery, compost making and rain water harvesting system

Health - Increasing the knowledge of women on low birth

weight, cardiovascular diseases and importance of sports activiities including sexual and reproductive

health issues and healthy eating habits

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Finance - Encouraging women to set up cooperatives and encouraging women to engage in entrepreneurial development

Poverty - Consolidating the Rupees for Solidarity Scheme and enhancing the employability of women through skills

acquisitions

Human Rights Issues and Legal Literacy - Ensuring that women are informed of

their rights as human rights

Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Concept- Sustaining

the awareness campaign on the gender equality concept, international

and regional human rights instruments pertaining to women's empowerment and gender equality

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(iii) Celebration of International Events

The NWC will also mark international events in 2015 namely

B. Dressmaking and Related Craft Unit

The courses offered by the Dressmaking and Related Craft Unit will be sustained. C. Adult Literacy Programme

The programme will be sustained in Women Centres, Social Welfare Centres and Community Centres. As forthcoming projects, a new module on “Kreol Morisyen” to be included in the programme and a Training of Trainers Programme to be organised in collaboration with the Mauritius Institute of Education.

International Events

International Women's Day-

March International

Day of Families -May

World Environment

Day - June

World Population Day-

July

World Literacy Day- September

International Day for the

Eradication of Poverty- October

World Food Day- October

International Day Against

Violence Against Women-

November

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D. Project Unit

The Project Unit which has the responsibility to identify, formulate and implement projects for women’s empowerment and gender equality will need to initiate necessary actions pertaining to the “Caravan de Proximité pour les Femmes Vulnérables” which will be used to provide women residing in deprived regions with necessary services. It will also have the responsibility to work upon the setting up of an Intranet System and a Website for the NWC. The Project Unit will also have the responsibility of implementing the second phase of the Rupees for Solidarity Scheme which aims at establishing a database of beneficiaries of the Scheme as well conduct site visits to assess the existing situation of the families. On another note, as part of the second phase, there is need to review the eligibility criteria for applicants under the present Scheme. E. Repealing of the National Women’s Council Act of 1985

The National Women’s Council Act of 1985 will be repealed and replaced with a new Legislation. The new Bill makes provision for a more dynamic and structured Council that will be fully equipped to fulfil its role of advocacy more effectively and that will response to the emerging needs of the contemporary women. F. Consolidation, Support and Guidance to Young Women’s Associations

The NWC will continue to provide support, guidance and training to the young women’s associations which were set up since 2010.

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Financial Implications for the Implementation of Strategies

The budget for 2015 of the NWC makes provision for a sum of Rs. 400, 000 to meet expenses for women’s empowerment, out of which an amount of Rs. 100, 000 for training and workshop for the staff and Rs. 300,000 for programmes and activities for women’s empowerment. Notwithstanding the above, the NWC will sustain its empowerment programmes in collaboration with the Gender Unit which has earmarked funds, thereto. Financial Report

The Financial Statements of the NWC have been prepared by the Finance Section of the NWC under Section 72 of the Financial Reporting and is at Annex.

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ANNEX

Financial Statements of the

National Women’s Council

for the Year Ended 31 December 2014

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