Anushka Virahsawmy
Anushka Virahsawmy is a gender equality leader and social impact strategist with over 25 years of experience advancing women’s rights, preventing gender-based violence and promoting inclusive development across Mauritius, the Indian Ocean and Francophone Southern Africa.
As Director of Gender Links Mauritius and Francophone Operations, she bridges grassroots realities with policy change, leading programmes on gender justice, economic empowerment, care work, institutional strengthening and community mobilisation.
She is also the founder and director of the Gender Links Safe Haven Halfway Home, a practical response to violence and vulnerability that supports women and young adults through protection, psychosocial care, skills building and social reintegration.
Anushka has contributed to regional advocacy on the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development and to civil society reporting before the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. She holds a Master’s in Education, has lived and worked in England, Greece and Wales, and has delivered leadership training in Denmark, France, Prague and India. A multilingual facilitator fluent in English, French and Creole, she is known for turning complex gender issues into practical action with communities, institutions and partners.