Gender policy in last phase of validation |05 November 2014

Members of various governmental and non-governmental organisations met recently to put the final touches to a National Gender Policy and Plan of Action, a first for Seychelles.

The document signals the government’s continued commitment to the attainment of the Constitutional rights and gender equality as a cornerstone for ending poverty, achieving long-term sustainable social change and meeting the aspirations of the Seychellois, especially women and girls who were previously disadvantaged in certain areas – for example increased risks to violence, unequal share of unpaid care work, and under representation in decision making.

The policy also provides a guide to the design and implementation of gender programmes across all sectors within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), as well as the 28 targets of the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development to be achieved by 2015.

Present at the validation meeting held at the International Conference Centre were Designated Minister Vincent Meriton and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam.

Minister Meriton addressing guests and stakeholders at the launch of the workshop

The document will be officially launched after all stakeholders have given their approval.

Gender equality encompasses the empowerment of women to claim their equal rights as citizens, as well as changing the attitudes of men and engaging them in the struggle for gender equality and equity.

Gender equality includes the views, interests and needs of women and men across all key populations at higher risk of discrimination.

“Amid all the progress we have made in the area of gender equality and equity, there are today, persisting challenges affecting our women, men, boys and girls. Too many women are still victims of domestic violence in Seychelles. Statistics show an increase in the number of reported cases and over 90% of these are against women. We must do better because violence is never right nor an answer to any problem. Real men do not beat up women. This cowardly act must be punished and never be allowed to have a place in our society,” Minister Meriton said in his address.

Referring to a recent World Bank report, Minister Meriton noted that poverty in Seychelles has a feminine face and that women living alone with their children are more likely to be poor.

“Here too we must do better to identify and support those individuals who are most in need, to ensure that gender is never a reason for poverty,” Minister Meriton stressed.

The minister also pointed out that while gender disparity was not an issue in the 1990s, it is now more pronounced.

“There are today three times more girls than boys enrolled in tertiary education. What is alarming is that more boys than girls are also leaving school leading to a situation where numerous young men who are unskilled, and insufficiently trained and are likely to be and remain unemployed or stuck in low paid employment,” he noted.

“We must recognise the seriousness of this situation, because the underachievement of boys will influence other aspects of life for both genders. It will impact on the partnerships that are formed, on gender-based violence within relationships and families, on the health-seeking behaviour of men, their literacy, quality of life and life expectancy,” the minister added.

The minister also said that gender can no longer be associated just with women.
“It is why this gender policy, a first for Seychelles and for the SADC region, is one that examines the needs and aspirations of both men and women. It considers their roles and responsibilities in the family, workplace and community.  It seeks for that perfect equilibrium between the sexes. This equilibrium cannot and will not exist when people are still victims of domestic violence, when one of the sexes is underperforming in class, when one of the sexes relinquishes its responsibilities and roles and infringes and violates the rights of others,” Minister Meriton said.

Without the use of quota, Seychelles is ranked second out of 52 African countries for gender equality. Globally, since the national parliamentary elections in 2011, Seychelles has the 5th highest proportion of women in national parliament.  Today, equality of access to education has been achieved.

“These facts are a source of immense pride to our country. They reflect the hard work that has been accomplished. The realisation of a vision for a free and equal society for all.  It reminds us of the high profile that Seychellois women enjoy in society and of their active participation in the political, social and economic life of our country. It also reminds us of the need to educate our men to appreciate and accompany our women as we strive along the path of nation building,” concluded Minister Meriton.