Violences envers les femmes: Nous portons tous une part de responsabilité

Where there is a will, there is a way. Ending Gender-Based Violence in our society is not impossible though the mission seems quite difficult to achieve. Since the beginning of 2014, six women were killed. Five of them were murdered by their husbands or ex partners. Unfortunately, they came to the list of victims of domestic violence, like Zarina Goolamgoskhan. Gender violence has thus become a major problem in our island, more than ever. It is quite alarming! Given the magnitude of the situation, some authorities have finally spoken. Recently, Satyajeet Boolell, Director of Public Prosecution, (DPP) has spoken on the issue in the press. He has clearly explained that one of his priorities is to end, once and for all, violence against women. He also added that many victims of domestic violence abandoned prosecutions against their abusers, or they are simply not present in court when the case should be heard. For these reasons, the DPP has recommended a new approach to prosecute perpetrators. Legislative changes are thus coming. Recent Cabinet Meeting has announced that the law on the domestic violence will soon be amended. A committee has even been set up to pinpoint flaws in the actual Protection from Domestic Violence Act. Later, the committee will submit recommendations for amendments, if any. I am convinced that a positive change is to come, since the authorities are showing interest in the case. Nevertheless, I find that despite the numerous awareness campaigns to end gender-based violence, the big problem remains the mindset. For the forthcoming generations to respect women, we need an ABC for gender to be introduced in schools, e.g in France, who has understood that the battle on gender equality will be achieved through a general change in mindset.