awareness - YUVA

All Your Burning Mental Health in Mauritius Questions, Answered

This article aims to shine light on mental health in Mauritius and provides insight into how we can better address mental health issues among its population. We will discuss existing efforts by Mauritanian authorities, organisations advocating for Mental Health improvement actions, and potential solutions.

Mauritius is an incredibly diverse country with many different cultures and religions. Unfortunately, one thing remains the same throughout: mental health. Mental illness affects people in Mauritius just like in other parts of the world – yet it often goes undiagnosed or untreated due to a lack of knowledge and awareness around this topic.

The Best Animal NGOs in India, Ranked

Several animal protection non-governmental organisations in India are dedicated to helping animals in need. This article ranks the best animal NGOs in India.

Animal-related NGOs focus on rescue, rehabilitation, education, and advocacy for animals across the country. Many of these organisations are run solely on donations, while other, more prominent NGOs receive partial funding from the Indian government. The main objective of these NGOs is to improve the overall welfare of animals. Some organisations focus on specific species, such as elephants, tigers, or dogs. Others are more general, providing aid to all types of animals. They provide veterinary care, food, shelter, and legal assistance.

21 February: International Mother Language Day

Since 2000, the world has celebrated International Mother Language Day on 21 February. A language is considerably more than simply a means of communication. Language, notably the mother tongue, is a vital aspect of different cultures worldwide. International Mother Language Day aims to enhance global awareness of language, cultural diversity, and multilingualism. But what are the history and importance of this day?

According to the United Nations, languages are strategically crucial for individuals and the world due to their complex consequences for identity, communication, social integration, education, and growth. They are, unfortunately, increasingly threatened or on the verge of extinction because of globalisation. However, they are an essential part of preserving cultures all over the world.

1 March: Zero Discrimination Day

On Zero Discrimination Day this year, YUVA is highlighting the urgent need to take action to end the inequalities surrounding income, sex, age, health status, occupation, disability, sexual orientation, drug use, gender identity, race, class, ethnicity and religion that continue to persist around the world.

Inequality is growing for more than 70% of the global population, exacerbating the risk of division and hampering economic and social development. And COVID-19 is hitting the most vulnerable people the hardest—even as new vaccines against COVID-19 are becoming available, there is great inequality in accessing them. Many have equated this to vaccine apartheid.

Capacity Building workshop on Human Trafficking in Mauritius

On Thursday 5th of November 2015, the ‘Dis-Moi’ (Droit Humains Océan Indien) has stepped up its efforts to combat human trafficking, an issue that has greatly been affecting our island.

Specifically, ‘Dis-Moi’, in collaboration with Justice & Equity and a number of development partners has strived to strengthen its ability to combat human trafficking. For this purpose ‘Dis-Moi’ is commencing to implement the island project “Strengthening Criminal Justice Responses to Human Trafficking in Mauritius” which shall be for a duration of one year-pilot project, based on financial support from various Ministries amidst the Mauritius Police Force and the Media Trust of Mauritius.

The project aims at (1) developing an anti-human trafficking law; (2) undertaking capacity- building of legal and law enforcement officials, and victim service providers; (3) increasing cooperation of various professionals and NGOs on human trafficking; (4) raising awareness on human trafficking; and (5) improving the capacity for victim referrals and access to legal assistance.

The workshop held was aimed at educating and raising awareness among legal and law enforcement officials and those who provide assistance to victims. Twenty-Eight participants including attorneys, lawyers, local police, local prosecutors, members of various Ministries, members of Media Trust, Members of Human Rights, Women’s Union, members of NGOs and Syndicalists of the CTSP attended the one day workshop.

Opening remarks were made by Deputy Mayor of Port Louis, Mr. Loic Dick, President of Media Trust Mr. Linsay Riviere, Syndicalist of the CTSP Mrs. Jane Ragoo, Deputy Chairman of the Human Rights Commission Mr. Hervé Lassemillante and Director of ‘Dis-Moi’, Mr. Lindley Couronne. The speakers warned about the dangers of human trafficking in Mauritius, their expectations for the workshop and what they wish for participants to gain from this workshop.

Each session of the workshop was led by trainers who are officials from International experts on Human Rights & Justice (National & International presentation on Human Traffic), Legal representatives amidst Me. Indranee Boolell-Bhoyrul (Legal aspects and existing laws in Mauritius), President of the CEDEM Mrs. Rita Venkatasawmy (Child Prostitution in Mauritius), Professors from the University of Mauritius amidst Dr. Ganess Dirpal & Dr. (Ms.) Anjali Bungaleea (Immigrants in Mauritius – Bangladeshi), and National Police who have been selected as part of the Core Trainers Group.

During workshop, the participants’ analyzed local case studies and assessed whether each case was human trafficking. In aiming to increase the awareness and participation, the trainers departed from the typical teaching style by actively engaging with the participants, soliciting their views on issues and asking for answers.

Closing remarks were made by Mr. Lindley Couronne, Director of ‘Dis-Moi’. The speakers expressed their appreciation towards all participating parties and their hope that selected voluntary members of the public will apply the information learned through the workshop to prevent incidents of human trafficking while also assisting victims of human trafficking in Mauritius based on a pilot project for duration of one year.

Report of workshop submitted to the MSIEE on: Friday 6th of November 2015.

The Efua Dorkenoo Pan African Award for Reportage on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Win a Month of training at the Guardian in London

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and The Guardian are launching the Efua Dorkenoo Pan African Award for Reportage on FGM for journalists reporting on FGM across Africa. The award is intended to increase media awareness and engagement on FGM within community, national and regional media outlets and recognize and encourage outstanding efforts of journalists throughout Africa.

Eligibility

All articles and reports could be either of investigative or human-interest types; produced in Arabic, English or French; and should be printed or broadcast in Africa between 1 January and 31 December 2015. If the article or report was originally published in a local language, please provide a translated version of the article in Arabic, English or French.

To be eligible for the competition, the candidate must be:

A professional journalist working in or for print press (daily, weekly, monthly), radio or TV in Africa or a freelancer with proof of publication of commissioned material. Contest will be limited to journalists working for Africa-based news outlets
A national of an African country

Candidates can submit one of the following:

Print story, not exceeding 2,000 words
Radio report, from 4 to 15 minutes
TV report, from 4 to 15 minutes

Entries will be judged based on:

Compliance with above eligibility, topic and format conditions
Originality/creativity
Quality and relevance of data
Writing/reporting style
Respect for ethical guidelines

Submissions

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Submissions are to be judged by a panel of representatives from UNFPA, The Guardian, African media organizations and regional non-governmental organizations.

One finalist will be chosen from each of the three categories, and one overall winner will be chosen from among the three. The three names will be announced on 6 February 2016, International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM.

The overall winner will receive one month of training at the FGM Multimedia and Investigations Unit at The Guardian in London. All trip and living costs will be covered by the organizers.
Judges’ decisions on all matters are final and no correspondences will be entertained.
UNFPA/The Guardian reserve the right to change any terms and conditions of the contest without prior notice.

Submit your entry via email at fgmaward@unfpa.org Use “Pan African Award for FGM Reportage” as the subject header.
Include, in English, the following information: Full name, gender, nationality, date of birth, profession, employer (media outlet), country of work, e-mail address and phone number.
Provide a web link/print screen/scan/photocopy of the media piece featuring your name as a proof it was published/broadcast in print/online/TV in one of the African media between 1 January and 31 December 2015.

Enter by 4 January 2016 final deadline

For more information, click here.

YUVA

Youth United in Voluntary Action

Tag: awareness