LocationsThe event is the result of a continued partnership between UNDP and the Mauritius National Assembly
Mauritius Launches Multimedia Exhibition to Mark the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
November 26, 2025
Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam launching the Multimedia Exhibition.
Stéphane Bellerose / UNDP Mauritius
Mauritius marked the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with the launch of a powerful multimedia and interactive exhibition on 26 November 2025 at the Sir Harilall Vaghjee Memorial Hall in Port Louis. Organized by the National Assembly in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the exhibition was inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, joined by dignitaries and eminent personalities in signing a pledge reaffirming the country’s commitment to eliminating GBV. Present at the ceremony were the Deputy Prime Minister, Paul Raymond Bérenger; the Speaker of the National Assembly, Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra; the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie; Members of Parliament and Parliamentary Gender Caucus; and UNDP Resident Representative, Alka Bhatia.
The 16 Days of Activism is an annual global campaign held from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day. For over three decades, it has mobilised governments, civil society, and communities to raise awareness and drive action against gender-based violence (GBV), grounded in the belief that violence is preventable and that every woman and girl has the right to live free from fear and harm.
The 2025 campaign places a strong spotlight on digital violence, under the theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.” This year’s focus draws attention to technology-facilitated forms of abuse, such as online harassment, cyber-stalking, image-based abuse, deepfakes, hate speech, and other violations that increasingly impact women’s wellbeing, voice, and participation in public and economic life. The theme urges governments, technology companies, and communities to ensure that digital spaces are safe, inclusive, and empowering
A Silent Crime that Cuts Across Social Strata
Prime Minister the Honourable Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, in his keynote address, stressed the urgency of tackling gender-based violence, calling it a societal ill that some still mistakenly view as normal. Dr Ramgoolam emphasised that GBV cuts across all social groups and requires strong, coordinated policies. He stressed Mauritius, was among the first countries to create a dedicated ministry for gender equality, and ongoing reforms at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare remain vital. He added that other ministries, including Education, Youth and Sports, and ICT, also play key roles in preventing violence at an early stage, both online and offline. “This fight concerns every community and every strata of society,” he said. Highlighting new laws promoting women’s representation in local government, he concluded: “Government alone cannot deal with it… It is the responsibility of every citizen.”
UNDP Resident Representative Alka Bhatia reiterated UNDP’s commitment to supporting Mauritius through policy, legislative, and programmatic interventions. She highlighted recent contributions, including digital solutions and capacity-building for parliamentary and community actors, and initiatives promoting safer digital spaces.
Speaking on the 2025 theme, Ms. Bhatia noted: “Digital spaces must expand opportunities, not amplify harm. Protecting women and girls from online violence is not optional, but a human rights obligation and a prerequisite for sustainable development.” She called for a holistic understanding of GBV, linking it to persistent inequalities: unequal access to resources, discriminatory norms, harmful masculinities, and gendered power structures. inequalities which are still reflected in Mauritius. UNDP Resident Representative also pointed to the gender pay gap, under-representation of women in decision-making roles, and higher unemployment among women. The exhibition, she said, “is not simply a collection of works but a collective declaration,” and she paid tribute to all partners and survivors whose voices continue to drive progress.
“GBV is not a private issue, but a national concern.”
Deputy Prime Minister Bérenger echoed these concerns, warning that violence against women continues to rise worldwide. He stressed the importance of prevention through education, noting that respect, equality, and non-violence must be taught from early childhood.
Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, the honourable Ms. Navarre-Marie outlined measures undertaken in 2025—including strengthened service delivery, expanded survivor support, and closer coordination with public institutions, civil society, and NGOs. Referring to the year’s global theme, she added: “We are not only organizing workshops on online dangers but also preparing the legal framework against cybercrime with the ICT Ministry.” She concluded by stating that “GBV is not a private issue, but a national concern, and we all have the duty to curb this scourge.”
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra announced a series of activities to be held over the 16-day period to maintain awareness nationwide. She underlined the need for a comprehensive approach to GBV in Mauritius and highlighted the country’s role in sharing best practices at international level.
Open to the public from 26 November to 10 December, the exhibition invites visitors to engage with multimedia content designed to challenge harmful norms, amplify survivor voices, and foster dialogue. As the 16 Days campaign continues, the message remains clear: lasting change begins with each of us.
See more photos of the multimedia exhibition and events HERE.