"Domestic violence is an affront to dignity and a hindrance to social progress," says Minister Arianne Navarre-Marie

"Domestic violence is not a private matter. It is an affront to dignity and a hindrance to social progress." This was expressed by Minister Arianne Navarre-Marie this morning at the National Women Development Centre in Phoenix. According to the Minister of Gender Equality, laws alone are insufficient to combat this scourge. With this in mind, a training program for first responders, including police officers, has been launched. The clear goal is to better equip those who respond to initial reports and ensure a faster and more effective support for victims.

For Arianne Navarre-Marie, domestic violence cannot be seen as a private issue confined behind closed doors. It constitutes a violation of human rights, an affront to dignity, and a major obstacle to equality. This phenomenon affects many individuals and often leaves deep, both visible and invisible, scars.

Despite notable progress in Mauritius in the fight against this issue, the situation remains concerning. "Behind every statistic, there is a story, a suffering, a silence," the Minister emphasized, lamenting that too many victims continue to suffer in silence.

In this context, she stresses the crucial role of first responders, who are called to act at the first signs to break the cycle of violence and effectively support the victims.