Family Welfare and Protection Unit

In line with one of the UN recommendations that States should set up appropriate mechanisms to implement policies and programmes in favour of families, the Ministry has set up a Family Welfare Unit since July 2003.

   Objectives of Family Welfareand Protection Unit

          To implement appropriate policies and strategies to promote family welfare; and

          To adopt relevant strategies and implement actions to combat domestic violence.

  Family Support Bureaux

The Unit operates from the Ministry's Head Quarters and has a network of 6 Regional Offices known as Family Support Bureaux (FSBx).  A hot line 119 is operational on a 24 hour basis to cater for family related problems and another Hot Line 139 which is dedicated to domestic violence is also operational. Officers can be contacted at the FSBx on the following addresses  and  telephone numbers:

In addition to our six regional FSBx, seven Police Family Protection Units (PFPU) manned by Women Police Constables are operational in the following regions to deal with cases of domestic violence:

	Police Family Protection Units	Contact Numbers
	Abercrombie	2173379
	Piton	2649133
	Moka	4332289
	Rose Belle	6272840
	Rose Hill	4662212
	Vacoas	6964058/59
	Flacq	4132935

                                                                                                   Back to Top

  Services

The following services are offered at the Family Support Bureaux in a holistic way with a view to minimising further trauma to victims of violence:

  Programmes and Projects to promote Family Welfare

National Policy Paper on Family

A National Policy Paper on Family, which encompasses strategies and actions for promoting family welfare, was launched on 15 May 2006.

National Action Plan on the Family

To operationalise the National Policy Paper on the Family y, the Ministry has comne up with a National Action Plan on the Family.  Following approval by Government, the National Action Plan on the Family in the Republic of Mauritius was launched in November 2009. The objectives of the National Action Plan on the Family are: To implement a series of programmes and activities for achieving the enhanced functioning of the family through development of partnership with stakeholders; and To provide all stakeholders with guidelines to address family concerns in policy planning, decisions making and programmes for the following strategic objectives: The strategic objectives are:   • Creating strong foundations –strengthening marriage relationships for building stronger families;   • Balancing work and family life;   • Strengthening of values for family life;   • Enable families to nurture the young in an environment conducive to their development;   • Provide support services to sustain the quality of life of families; and   • Monitoring and Implementation mechanism of Action Plan on the Family.

25% of the recommended actions in the National Action Plan have already been implemented.

Back to Top

"Men as Partners Project"

This project is a gender sensitive project that aims at promoting responsibility and participation of men within the family and the community so as to enable the effective empowerment of women and the enhancement of the quality of life of the family. This Programme is implemented by the Ministry of Women`s Rights, Child Development and Family Welfare in collaboration with the Mauritius Family Planning and Welfare Association.

The first phase of the "Men as Partners" Programme was implemented in 4 other regions namely Petite Rivière, Argy, Chamouny and Batterie Cassé.

The second phase of the project has been completed in the following four localities, namely - Rose Belle, Plaines des Roches, Trèfles and Goodlands.

The third phase of the project has been implemented at La Caverne, Vacoas, Grand River South East, Baie du Tombeau and it is nearing completion at Caroline.

Under the fourth phase of the Project the ones at L`Escalier and Case Noyale have been completed and the Project is ongoing at Midlands.

                                                                                                   Back to Top

The main objectives of this project are :
 

	To organize monthly educational sessions on Gender, Women Development and Family Welfare for the male folk so as to increase their knowledge and provide information that will enable them to positively participate in family affairs and enhance partnership building at home, at work site and in the community.
	To organize monthly mixed educational sessions on problems affecting family welfare and the role of women in the family and the society at large.
	To organize fortnightly indoor games to entertain the male folks, and provide concurrently individual counseling and informal education sessions to men.
	To organize individual and group counseling sessions for couples on Gender sensitive family issues so as to improve psycho-social environment.
	To provide special medical sessions for the male folk so as to enable them share and improve their health conditions in confidentiality and also get informed about health condition.
Note: The project components are currently under review.

   Pre-Marital Counselling Programme

The objective of the Pre-Marital counselling programme is to sensitize engaged couples for a more stable married life as well as to prepare them to cope with marital conflicts hence leading a healthy family life.

  Marriage Enrichment Programme

The objective of this programme is to strengthen and promote understanding and respect between couples. 
 
  Family Enrichment Programme
Under consideration

  Programmes and Project to combat Domesticviolence

  Audit Report on Existing Services and Care offered at Family Support Bureaux and Shelters (Implementation)

In line with the National Action Plan to Combat Domestic Violence, an auditing exercise of Existing Services and Care provided at Family Support Bureaux and existing shelters was conducted by a Consultant and the report was launched on 25 November 2009. The recommendations of the Audit Report are as follows:
(i) Development of a Victim and Abuser Empowerment Policy;
(ii) Signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry and NGO to set up emergency centres at regional level;
(iii) Development of transitional/permanent housing typology for victims of domestic violence;
(iv) Development of a quality assurance tool with indicators to ensure effective delivery of services by shelters;
(v) Provide training and employment opportunities for victims of domestic violence;
(vi) Strengthen sensitisation campaign in schools and at the work place;
(vii) Conduct working sessions with Managers of Shelters to encourage them to develop job seeking skills, provide job placement and support group in services offered; and
(viii) Conduct Capacity Building Programme for staff to service the shelter.

  Victim Empowerment and Abuser Rehabilitation Policy
Under consideration

  Zero Tolerance Clubs against domestic violence

Zero Tolerance Clubs have been set up in Abercrombie, Goodlands, Mare D'Albert Pointe aux Sables, Montagne Blanche and Grand Gaube. They comprise representatives of various Community Based Organisations with a view of involving the community to combat domestic violence. Members of these clubs act as watchdogs to ensure that their respective localities are violence free. Groundwork is being done for setting up of an additional club that would service the district of Plaine Wilhems .Monthly activities are organised by the Ministry in collaboration with the members of the Zero Tolerance Clubs to create more awareness among the public on our services and issues pertaining to domestic violence.

  Oasis Association

Oasis Association provides opportunities for victims of domestic violence to meet as a group, share their experiences, conduct activities for self-help and welfare with a view to build self-confidence. This process is facilitated with the regular intervention of Psychologists through counselling and group therapy.

  Partnership Against Domestic/Family Violence 

A comprehensive framework in the form of a 'Partnership Against Domestic/Family Violence Committee' that builds on partnerships between Ministries, NGO`s and Community Based Organisations has been adopted by the Ministry to bring about meaningful changes in addressing domestic violence. The purpose of such a partnership is to devise and implement collective strategies, projects and programmes to provide further protection, services and rehabilitation to survivors of violence.

A new call for project proposals has been launched.

  National Strategic Planning and Capacity Building Programme to Combat Domestic Violence

All forms of violence are unacceptable, including violence that takes place in the private sphere. Helping to prevent violence in all population groups is a public responsibility. There is political consensus that domestic violence is not a private matter and that multi-sectoral approaches building on partnerships involving governments, Non-governmental organizations and civil society are necessary pre-conditions to reduce its incidence.

It is our responsibility to safeguard the rights of both women and men to a life free of violence and threat of violence and to ensure that children can grow up without suffering abuse or fear. Through improved prevention, more detection, more rapid intervention and better rehabilitation, we will promote a safer society. The key to success in tackling domestic violence can only come through partnership and coordinated action at both national and local levels.

One of the actions required in the National Action Plan to Combat Domestic Violence is to create a networking system to exchange and disseminate information to the general public in different languages. In this respect, the Ministry has forged partnerships with different stakeholders to raise awareness on the issue of domestic violence.

  "Open Day” in collaboration with the Local Government Authorities

To consolidate our awareness programmes, the Ministry has organised an “Open Day” in collaboration with the Local Government Authorities where members of the public were briefed on the Services offered by the Family Support Bureaux, the new e-government services on Domestic Violence and Pre-Marital Counselling services. Information, Education and Communication materials such as leaflets and pamphlets were disseminated.

  Families in Distress Scheme

The Families in Distress Scheme provides for:

	One-off assistance to the tune of Rs 3000 to the parents / legal guardians for funeral expenses in the case of accidental death of a child
	One-off assistance to the tune of Rs 9000 to widows who have lost their husband in dramatic circumstances (e.g – murder, electrocution, drowning, shipwreck, riots etc)
	One-off assistance to the tune of Rs 9000 to widowers who have lost their spouses in dramatic circumstances (e.g – murder, electrocution, drowning, shipwreck, riots etc) provided that the deceased wife was contributing financially to the family income.

  National Domestic Violence Committee

A National Domestic Violence Committee (NDVC) has been set up at the Ministry with a view to promoting and adopting a coordinated approach and to ensure the protection of victims in collaboration and consultation with all parties concerned with addressing the problems of domestic violence.

The main objectives of the NDVC are to:

	Reduce and prevent the incidence of domestic violence;
	Provide accessible, reliable and coordinated guidance on cases of domestic violence and ensure that victims receive appropriate treatment and care;
	Promote the welfare of the family; and
	Create an environment free from any form of violence within the family and the community.

Concurrently, Area Domestic Violence Committees has been set up in the 6 FSBx to handle cases expeditiously at regional level and to ensure proper follow up on all cases of domestic violence reported to the relevant authorities for eg. Police Department/Police Family Protection Unit/Ministry of Health and Quality of Life amongst others.


  Anger Management Programme

The Ministry has sought the services of an international expert to conduct a Training of Trainers Programme on “Anger Management & Counselling Techniques” in August 2008. The training involved 32 officers from Government Agencies and NGOs. The objectives of the training are to:-

(a) Identify the different forms and manifestations of anger and the effects it has on our well-being and others;

(b) Identify the sources of anger within different levels of our consciousness; and provide the trainees with a range of practical tools to enable self-transformation and so create a more peaceful existence for themselves and others.

At the end of their training, the trainers were expected to:-

Pamphlets on Anger Management were also launched on 11 August 2008.

Following the training of trainers programme the Family Counselling Officers of the Ministry of Women`s Rights ,Child Development and Family Welfare conducted the Programme with:
• the EPZ Labour Welfare Fund ;
• Prison Officers; and
• Police Officers .

  UNFPA Project

UNFPA (present in Mauritius from 1972 to 2003) has the mandate of promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) for the public at large. As from 2003 onwards, the Ministry of Health is the coordinating agency for UNFPA Projects.

Activities proposed:  

	Strengthen SRH services, information and skills to meet the growing needs of young people and underserved groups
	Improve quality and coverage of support services provided to victims of domestic violence
	Capacity Building Programmes to address Domestic Violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health

  IEC (Information, Education and Communication) and Awareness Campaigns
 

Sustained IEC and awareness campaigns at National and community levels through the use of publications and the organization of seminars/workshop aimed at sensitizing different target groups namely Government Officials, NGOs as well as the public at large.

Copies of the IEC materials/Publications are available at the Documentation Unit of the Ministry.

  Special events celebrated/commemorated by the Family Welfare and Protection Unit
 

  Protocol of assistance to victims of Sexual Assault

A Protocol of Assistance to Victims of Sexual Assault is operational at the Ministry since March 2006. Its purpose is to ensure a prompt and timely assistance to victims of sexual assault.

The Protocol defines the role and responsibilities of all the stakeholders concerned, namely – Ministry of Women’s Rights, CD, FW & CP; the Ministry of Health and QL and the Police Department.

It ensures a coordinated approach of all authorities concerned with such cases.

With the application of the Protocol, victims may now call either at the Police Station (to give gist of case) of the region where the incident took place or directly to any of the 5 regional hospitals (Dr. Jeetoo, SSRN, Victoria, Flacq & J. Nehru). Victims who report case at the Police Station are conveyed by the Police to the nearest regional hospital.

In line with the provisions of the Protocol, the Ministry of Women’s Rights, CD and FW is informed of the case by the Police through the Hotline 119 and arrangements are made for psychological assistance and legal counselling to be provided to the victim. Depending on the seriousness of the case, the Psychologist may also visit the victims at the hospital where the case is being handled. Follow up actions are then ensured through the Family Support Bureaux of the Ministry (Bell Village, Goodlands, Flacq, Bambous, Floreal & Mare D’Albert)

At the hospital, a fast track approach has been adopted to assist victims with emergency treatment in a specific ward (Sexual Assault Unit), which is separated from other patients attending hospital. The victim is examined by a Police Medical Officer. The Protocol also provides for the victim to be seen by specialists such as Gynaecologist, Pediatrician, Psychologist or Medical Social Worker.

Back to Top