A Women’s Decade Coordinating Committee has been established and comprises representatives of key Ministries working on the different thematic areas, as well as strategic partners, said Minister Bappoo.  The term of reference of the Women’s Decade Coordinating Committee is to oversee the implementation of activities in the different thematic areas, she further observed.

Nine Women’s Decade Working Groups have been set up with a view to ensuring the successful implementation of the Decade. These Working Groups have met on a number of occasions to brainstorm and identify activities to be implemented during the first phase of the Decade initially scheduled during 2011. The Working Groups would, thereafter, come up with additional activities for the years 2012-2015, added the Minister.

Minister Bappoo also announced activities to be organised in the context of the launching of the African Women’s Decade at the Grand Bay International Conference Centre.  These include: a clip produced by the Ministry in collaboration with the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation. The clip highlights the different strategies to be implemented to redress gender gaps. 

The first bulletin of a Newsletter entitled “Time to Accelerate Action for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment” will also be launched. Subsequently there will be a bi-annual publication with updates on innovative actions taken in the different thematic areas.

The National Women’s Council will set up a “Rupees for Solidarity” fund raising activity where all members of women’s associations will donate a token amount of Rs. 1/- respectively to the cause of solidarity. The fund will be used to assist those women in distress who are not eligible for any financial assistance under current schemes but who still need to be supported.  Moreover, young women will be encouraged to register their names by joining different women’s associations to rejuvenate the women’s movement in Mauritius.