Babita Thannoo: "Perpetrators should leave the family home, not the abused women"

Babita Thannoo: "Perpetrators should leave the family home, not the abused women".

On Monday, November 24, 2025, Babita Thannoo, a member of the Rezistans ek Alternativ (ReA) party, made a strong statement regarding domestic violence against women in Mauritius, as the world prepares to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25. She emphasized that when domestic violence is confirmed, it should be the perpetrators who leave the family home, not the victims.

In light of the Ministry of Women's campaign launched on November 24, themed "Family, you are not just a victim, you are a change," Thannoo critically addressed the increasing issue of domestic violence in Mauritius. She described this initiative as a powerful call for resilience and transformation for victims so that they are defined not by the violence they have endured but by their strength to stand up.

Thannoo pointed out that there is a rise in violence against women and highlighted the government's concerns. Within the Gender Caucus, a parliamentary group, she noted that they are fighting against this societal issue. She attributed some of the violence to capitalism and its effects on families, stressing the need to rethink social indicators. "The well-being of a society cannot be measured by GDP, but rather by happiness and the ability to feel good about oneself," she added.

She insisted that the focus should be on how to achieve well-being. The goal is not to accumulate wealth, but to value social indicators like health, mutual aid, and education. Thannoo also advocates for breaking taboos and ensuring the enforcement of existing laws, such as the Tenancy Order, which guarantees the right to occupy one's home in cases of domestic violence. "Too often, these laws are not enforced because cases are poorly handled by the police, and magistrates rely on the documentation to make decisions. We must advocate for men, the abusers, to leave the home, not the battered women, as a woman forced from her home struggles to rebuild her life, especially financially," she remarked.

The proposed law aims for inclusivity and seeks to strengthen the protection of abused women.

Thannoo noted that Bhutan, a landlocked country in the Himalayas between India and China, is recognized for its unique culture and its focus on "Gross National Happiness" (GNH) rather than GDP. Unlike Nordic countries, which base well-being primarily on wealth, Bhutan prioritizes ecological and Buddhist values.

Anushka Virahsawmy, director of the NGO Gender Links, welcomed the Domestic Abuse Bill backed by the Minister of Women. She expressed gratitude to Minister Ariane Navarre-Marie for her understanding of the issue. The bill aims for inclusivity and intends to enhance the protection of abused women. However, she emphasized that, despite an 82% success rate at Gender Links, shelters like Safe Haven, which accommodates about thirty women and their children, are not a permanent solution: "It's a temporary measure, an interim step to help victims rebuild their lives before regaining control."

Virahsawmy highlighted that, although more women are daring to break taboos, they still persist: in Mauritius, one in three women experiences violence. At Safe Haven, they provide shelter and nourishment while allowing women to work. After a year and a half, when they are deemed ready to regain their independence, they are offered opportunities to rebuild their family and professional lives.

The question arises: could these women return to their abusers once free? "That possibility exists, but we work with the husbands to foster better understanding and help them move past the violent past. This requires specific psychological support. For Gender Links, concrete and measurable actions are necessary to effectively combat domestic violence," concluded Virahsawmy.

The Karousel initiative, inspired by France's Samu Social, offers a day center for vulnerable and homeless women, providing social and psychological support. Mélanie Valère-Cicéron, president of the NGO Passerelle, detailed how Karousel helps women without housing, with or without children, allowing them to bathe, eat, and access computer training to write job applications. The center also has a rest area and a massage room, supported by the French embassy and the Ministry of Gender.

The campaign "16 Days, 16 Rights, 16 Businesses" runs from November 25 to December 10, 2025. Valère-Cicéron explained the initiative aims to raise awareness about the different forms of violence women face, including verbal, physical, and social violence. During these 16 days, they will visit 16 businesses across the country to discuss with employees and assess the degree of violence in relationships. Each participant receives a confidential questionnaire to express their experiences. This tool, called Violantomet, provides an accurate measurement of violence to ensure police intervention is effective and that reports from battered women are taken seriously.

Hermione Larcher, composer of "Mo silans, mo lakrwa," created an engaging song to raise awareness against domestic violence. She hopes her words will resonate with those who fear to speak out against their abusers. She emphasizes that domestic violence is unacceptable in 2025 and encourages victims to seek help from NGOs that are ready to support them.

Denis Ythier from Gender Links stressed that men must understand they are not superior to women. He emphasized the need for mutual respect and recognized that some men replicate the violence they experienced or witnessed in their youth. He criticized the lack of awareness and education regarding domestic violence in schools and the need for stricter legal frameworks to address this societal issue.