Mauritius preparing for more women in 2010 elections

Posted to the web 6 August 2008 Loga Virahsawmy Port Louis The winds of change are blowing across the island of Mauritius, and many men in this traditionally conservative nation are working hand in hand with women to see that the common sense of gender equality prevails. On 18 July 2008, councillors of the District Council of Moka-Flacq committed themselves to ensuring that the village elections of 2010 would end with 30% women as District councillors. They were not even aware of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Declaration on Gender and Development signed by SADC Heads of States. "We did not know that the Government of Mauritius has signed a declaration to commit itself that by 2005 there should be 30% women in politics." "Irrespective of the SADC Declaration, we are prepared to take up the challenge and we... [read full story]