Marital Rape to be Recognized as a Crime in the Domestic Violence Bill

The validation workshop for the domestic violence bill, which took place over two days, concluded on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the Caudan Arts Centre in Port Louis, with the attendance of the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Ms. Arianne Navarre-Marie.

Also present were the permanent secretary of the ministry, Jean Daniel Philippe Labonne, the head of the family welfare and protection unit, Ms. Jayseeree Bhunjun, as well as representatives from relevant ministries, public sector institutions, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders.

The workshop, organized by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), served as a consultative platform to review, discuss, and validate the domestic violence bill. The aim was to examine its provisions, gather feedback, and formulate recommendations to strengthen the legislative framework for preventing domestic violence and protecting victims, in line with national priorities and international standards.

In her speech, Ms. Arianne Navarre-Marie emphasized that the workshop provided stakeholders with a valuable opportunity to share their proposals, suggestions, and viewpoints, which would all contribute to refining the bill. She indicated that further consultations would be held with other partners before finalizing the bill, which would then be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.

The minister drew attention to the alarming increase in domestic violence cases, urging victims to come forward while assuring them that appropriate support would be provided. She also confirmed that marital rape would be recognized as a crime in the bill, reflecting the ongoing efforts to combat this issue. Additionally, Ms. Arianne Navarre-Marie encouraged individuals not affiliated with any NGO or ministry to submit their suggestions for improving the bill via email to [email protected] before February 6, 2026.

Referring to best international practices, the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare explained that the "one-stop shop" model was inspired by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in South Africa, which ultimately led to the establishment of Family Support Services (FSS) in Mauritius. She urged victims to use the helpline 139 in case of violence and called on the public to report any incidents of domestic violence. Furthermore, she called on the police and all concerned stakeholders to fully assume their responsibilities and respond effectively to cases of domestic violence.