City of Port- Louis.

Mauritius
155,226 population

1st Muslim woman at P.Vrte as executive member 1995 (helped in 4 Elections Camp & 2 By_elctn) Founder & former President W.Welfare Association const N0.3 1994 guided by Hon. K.Juggoo .
1st Lady President of Community Centre in 2007 till now Members of several Womens Associations & Honorary Prsd of Y.M.W, & Y.A.T Member of WIN & Active member in G.Links, Board Members at Nwec & Cnsf, 1st Head womens Cttee last Election 2010 F.S.Officer at Nwc Ministry of Gender quality since 17 yrs. Experiences: Worked with 5 Ministers :

Myself faced D.violence/struggle & overcome

Extremely low female participation. Cabinet/Assembly/LOCAL In some wards a certain religious community being backwards by men- Religious barriers prevent upgrading. Lack of political will / very few women in political parties cell Other discrimination forms for women to join politics (being a Muslim from P-Verte Const No.3)

Women only chosen motivate Election meetings /campaigns/Prp LeafletsPosters in baze canvassing door to door/ activists in school yards /countingnot to

cross limits

Victims by men discriminated to form part -Campaign cttee /take decision old arguments used against to put aside . Muslim Women No travellinG - deliver meetings Women Marginalised To fight with men & be able to head & guide womens team General Elct 2010

Mostly women got threats by men opposers

1. State Insignia Women Devlp 2. Labour Congress electn 2010 & team 3. About my interest/ parcours 4. Take the challenge 5. India Award World convention for peace/ unity & Quality / Develepment & Leadership

Yes, It is of great concern I was always campaigning ( set up a womens teams ) for men Politcians Gender links trainings 2009 was the WAKE UP call Muslim women in our constituency should have same chances As other women of other communities & Even MEN in this matter
women represent 51.8% population only 18.8% in the parliament & 12.2% at municipal council & 3.2% District council & 5.8% at village councils level. Mauritius poor performer Behind many Afrcan Sadc Countries

We need to look into causes of Gender gap in Politics: Sensitisation campaigns & Meetings with Womens organisation/ Youth/ Ngos/ Advocacy :Community leaders/Religious bodies Workshops /training/ empowerment Continuous Empowerment prog: A model.State
Award for Meritorious Volunteer service in 2009) P.M.S.M

Mobilise both men & women to support / promote women candidates for political & Decision Making positions at all levels Encourage women to take part continuouson going

Starts 2009 phase 1

GENDER GOVERNANCE /WOMEN IN POLITICS & DECISION MAKING

After followed trainings with Gender links more confident wake up call used methods learned
Gathered 600 women for election 2010

Phase 2 : 2011 Formed/Trained team leaders - area in specific locality series prog for Development &Empowerment of women

Phase 3: 2012 .on going 2015

Feb 2012 -1st training workshop I successfully organised women in Port-Louis Wards by GENDER LINKS at Plaine Verte ( CDA: the organisation I chaired) * women of all communities
including a large number Of Muslim Young Women Strongly believe to break Reticence/cultural inhibitions

& be as candidates.

Community Centrel(CDA)dispensed free trainings

Training workshop at MCPL

President, Participants/volunteers 2011

Men/women & youth outside training

Women In Politics training -2012

Bags with recycle materials

Fancy Jewellery exhibition

visit of stands by Hon.Minister of Local Govt

Exhibition - cushion corner by religious women

Meeting at Roche Bois Mrs Talat 75 yrs activist. Fd.Court

Training on Human Resource by NWEC at MCPL

Trainees of R-Bois.

Womens local products/Skl Dvlp

Awards Certificates by Hon.M.Martin

Paintings corner by women

Networking events 300 women in P-Louis

To target women at all levels from educated to grassroots Men, Women, elders & youth Surveys: mostly men still opposing Gender equality where women have low level of representation, Developed a work system to informed how women in numerous cites can make a difference. Break the social /ideological barriers Not equally( 35%) - Women participating more in meetings led by women & men does not show interest Used method learned through Gender links Mixed male in female group meetings & animated by both men & Women. It is important to confront this issue Their concerns are being equally taken into consideration.

OWN money telephones/manuals/transport Gender Links Logistic support by for launching Volunteers/ trainers (transp & others) Many in kinds support : MCPL Mayor & Councillors, SILWF (TRAININGS/LOGISTIC/PUBLIC
ADDRESS/HALLS/ PC Internet)

NWEC , SMEDA & CNSF : Trainings for Empowerment &

Devlp/Networking & Leisure - objective to gather maximum women to be empowered

Youths & Young Women Movements (I set up) A committee to be set up to look into these details / proper monitoring Ngo free hall Refreshment from Minister of constituency Inhabitants of each Area - residence

Through Surveys Feedbacks, questionnaires women who acquired knowledge, Door to door visits Whether all information well disseminated collection data If confidence & relationship built properly To work out loop holes need to look into the factor of causes guidance overcome hurdles on their way! Ensure access of facilities for improvement

WOMEN

Impact with reference to the 28 SADC protocol on Gender Development. Article 12 13 are met
Gender and Governance

Women in Politics/Decision Making

Yes it is indeed effective as we are working to change the forces & cultures of tradition & religion tend to be more concentrated in giving more chances to women. The Local Government Bill come to support the issue at least 1 person of a different gender for every sequence of 3
candidates on Party list -

Women convinced do well when fielded as candidates Faith + Hard work + Determination = Positive Results

Gender Governance/Women in Politics/ Decision making

It is sustainable as well as for local level & in future for National levels. Targetted Women/ powerfully Trained Using same methodology and adding tailor made touch to be replicable in other regions Deal with Political Issues & gender equality to meet objective of the importance in their areas, wards/regions/district that can be measured

Great number of men reluctant though perfectly aware of the L.Gvt Bill Difficulties in making men & women to join in same meetings Women participate more in meetings organised by women Including men Politicians in the sensitisation campaigns men gained confidence women & men can work together for a positive change
Greater Experiences when worked with Mayors, Men Councillors & Ministers supporting the cause & Religious Women Organisation & Some Men Presidents/Force Vives.

Reticence can be turned into tolerance! Politicians encouraging women & value the Local Govt bill some are very positive till at nation al level Women more empowered - shape events of lives rather being shaped by prejudice & belief Confronting the issue Gender equality being a combination of both men & women for a better society Publics awareness .. cooperate if well informed properly Media /FBK Important tools to raise women higher Women are convinced and determined in their capacity attain summit : (interesting proposed manifesto by
potential women candidates after Leadership/W.In Politics)

To remove barriers of discrimination and Gender inequalities

Important points how to include these instrument to be served as tools for supporting women to be as decision makers Continue Public Awarenes & on going campaigns lobbying & advocate Governements, Policy makers & Parliament to promote positive change at National level too. Gender links on going trainings & increase training of trainers program to cover whole Struggle to achieve the target of 50% women in decision making by 2015 as stipulated in Sadc Protocol on Gender Development.

TOGETHER AS ONE WE CAN

Using media/ slogans/posters/internet/facebook/sms & D to D inform civil society & political parties (of fielding more women) or to work with women candidates & increase the representation at local & national Need for constant monitoring & evaluation of progress Work harder to powerfully change beliefs..make women get elected Searching for all keys for success for Gender equality balances ultimate challenge for winning

FINAL

*THANK YOU*

Avanse Fam

Twa , FAM PA LAISE TO LARM VIN ENE OSEAN

PRAN LA FLAM LESPOIR PU RECLAM TO PLAS DIVAN FER FAS, SERVI TO ZARM KI APEL CONFIANS BLIER TU BLAM PAS PERDI TO CHANSE PU APORT NUANS DAN LA NUITE BLANS LES ZOT FAM KI DAN BALANS PE ATANE PU SORTI DAN SOUFRANS.
Shenaz