Shocking Stats Reveal: 1 in 3 Woman Facing Violence

Statistics Mauritius has released its latest figures on gender in Mauritius, revealing a somber picture of the challenges faced by women in the country. Despite progress in recognizing women’s rights at various levels, women continue to face significant hurdles.

Violence against women remains a major concern, with a staggering 5,729 cases reported in 2023, up from 4,420 in 2022.

Verbal and physical abuse are among the most commonly reported types of violence. “It’s sad that one out of three women is a victim of violence in Mauritius,” said Anushka Virahsawmy, director of Gender Links.

“This reality is even more distressing given the constant increase in domestic violence cases.

Despite efforts by the Ministry of Gender Equality, particularly with the implementation of Lespwar, crucial questions remain. How can a battered woman use her phone to seek help during critical moments?”

Education and Protection

Virahsawmy emphasized that education plays a crucial role in combating domestic violence and that protection orders, although an important measure, may not always be effective if parties involved do not respect the imposed distance.

Sexual Violence and Exploitation

In addition to domestic violence, women continue to be disproportionately represented among victims of sexual violence and exploitation. In 2023, approximately 91.7% of victims were women.

Child sexual abuse also is a significant issue, with a notable increase in reported cases at the Child Development Unit, with girls representing around 55% of victims.

Health and Well-being

The statistics also highlighted other challenges faced by women in Mauritius.

In December 2023, there were 9,213 people living with HIV/AIDS, with 28.6% being women.

Virahsawmy lamented that people no longer talk about HIV/AIDS and view it as just another illness.

Women are also delaying motherhood, with the total fertility rate decreasing from 1.9 in 2003 to 1.4 in 2023.

The highest fertility rate is now found among women aged 30-34 years, with 80 births per 1,000 women in this age group.

Contraception and Marriage

The use of contraception methods continues to increase, with 56,332 women registered as users in 2023 compared to 56,040 in the previous year.

Divorce Rates and Entrepreneurship

While marriage rates continue to decline, divorce rates are increasing.

In 2023, the number of divorces per 1,000 inhabitants reached 4.3 compared to 2.0 in 2003.

The statistics also reveal disparities in female entrepreneurship. In 2023, only 11.4% of active women were employers or self-employed compared to 25.2% of men.

The figures also reveal an ongoing inequality in female representation in decision-making positions within government, with only 17.4% of ministers being women.

These statistics paint a bleak picture of the challenges faced by Mauritian women and emphasize the need for continued efforts to address these issues and promote gender equality.

Source: l’Express