India’s population is roughly 1.3 billion, the second most populated country after China. The inhabitants face many challenges daily, and it has a repercussion on the economy, reputation, and welfare of the whole country. The social issues in India are primarily found in the rural areas, also known as the slums.
Continue reading “The Most Popular Social Issues in India”
Top 10 Youth Social Leaders of Mauritius
This article lists the top 10 youth social leaders of Mauritius in no particular order. Leadership remains one of Mauritius’ most significant challenges in terms of development. There is hope in the country’s youth, who have played a crucial role in public service, economic transformation, visibility and accountability.
Most young Mauritians are facing a lot of problems, mainly unemployment. Mauritian youth ought to be part of decision-making structures. The United Nations Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth said, there is no better resource in times of trouble than young people. The initiative and resourcefulness that motivate the world’s youth are valuable.
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Top 10 NGOs in Africa
This article takes a look at the top 10 NGOs in Africa. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are independent of any government. They function outside of government influence, and their activities include environmental, social, advocacy and human rights work. NGOs work to promote social or political change in their communities. NGOs are essential in developing society, improving communities, and promoting an active citizenry.
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Top 10 NGOs in Mauritius
This article takes a look at the top 10 NGOs in Mauritius. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) or Non-Profit organisations (NPOs) are essential for any community’s development. NGOs are independent of any government, and they serve social and humanitarian causes. NGOs in Mauritius lead the healthcare and education movements.
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Focus of Zero Discrimination Day 2022: Women and Girls
On Zero Discrimination Day this year, UNAIDS is fighting against the discrimination girls and women face by generating awareness and motivating activities to empower them.
On 1 March 2022, Zero Discrimination Day will be held under the theme “Zero Discrimination against Women and Girls.” The symbol for Zero Discrimination Day is the butterfly, extensively used among individuals to tell their experiences and pictures to eradicate prejudice and strive towards improvement.
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LGBTQ+ Situation in Mauritius: A 2021 Report
Despite existing anti-discriminatory legislation and rising acceptance among Mauritius’ population, specifically the younger generation, the Mauritius LGBTQ+ community continues to endure discrimination in their personal lives, workplaces, and society.
This is primarily due to conservative beliefs and the stigma associated with homosexuality in Mauritian society.
Continue reading “LGBTQ+ Situation in Mauritius: A 2021 Report”
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.
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The Situation of HIV/AIDS in Mauritius
According to estimates, a total number of 329 cases of HIV/AIDS cases were detected in the year 2016 in which 319 cases were Mauritians and 10 cases were foreigners. The yearly positivity rates of HIV recorded seem to be 0.36% for the year 2016, which concludes that the total number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Mauritius is 6671. Statistics clearly indicate that men have the highest prevalence of HIV as out of the 6671 cases 5061 are men and 1610 are women. Since 1987 Mauritius has reported approximately 953 deaths due to HIV. Continue reading “The Situation of HIV/AIDS in Mauritius”
20 April: Volunteer Recognition Day
There are cynics out there who will say that true altruism is a myth, that it doesn’t exist, and that nobody is capable of doing anything unless they are motivated by their own self-interest in the end. But even the most embittered cynics would be hard-pressed to explain why anyone in their right mind would make the choice to travel to the poorest parts of the world, where hunger, sickness and war ravage the population and death is as commonplace as life, to help care for orphaned children. Or why a comfortable middle-class citizen would choose to spend his or her afternoons teaching neglected teenagers how to read in the dirtiest, most gang-ridden part of town. Or why any nurse would risk his or her life to care for wounded soldiers on the very front. Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes, but they are all the real-life saints and superheroes of this world. And although they don’t ask to be paid for all of their selfless work, they definitely deserve our utmost respect and appreciation, which is exactly what Volunteer Recognition Day is all about. Continue reading “20 April: Volunteer Recognition Day”
LGBT Rights in Mauritius: Mauritius Youth Parliament, Session 2
This house believes that LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) rights in Mauritius are legally complicated and vague.
Although the law is silent on the topic of homosexuality and gender identity itself, sodomy is illegal and banned by the laws of the county. The nation was one of the 66 signatories of support for the UN declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity. Furthermore, although same-sex relationships are not recognised, LGBT people are protected from any kind of discrimination with the constitution guaranteeing the right of individuals to private life.
Laws about same-sex sexual activity
According to the Section 250 of the Mauritius Criminal Code of 1838, “Any person who is guilty of the crime of sodomy […] shall be liable to penal servitude for a term not exceeding 5 years.”
The age of consent in Mauritius is 16. Article 249 ‘Rape, attempt upon chastity and illegal sexual intercourse’ of the Penal Code: (…) Any person who has sexual intercourse with a female ‘under the age of sixteen (16), even with consent, shall be liable to penal servitude not exceeding ten (10) years.
Discrimination
The Equal Opportunities Act 2008 prohibits employers from discriminating against persons based on their sexual orientation, with “sexual orientation” being defined to mean “homosexuality (including lesbianism), bisexuality or heterosexuality”.
Adoption of children
According to a 2006 report, adoptive parents may be either single or married. LGBT persons are not specifically disqualified.
According to a website of the French government, single and married people are eligible to adopt children. The website does not say whether LGBT people are disqualified.
LGBT rights organisations
In Mauritius, there are several organisations for the LGBT community.
Founded in 2005, Collectif Arc en Ciel (“Rainbow Collective”) is the primary organisation for the LGBT community in Mauritius. The party fights homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Founded in 1996, Pils is a centre for individuals with HIV/AIDS in the country, and also a place for the prevention and education of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Founded in 2014, the Young Queer Alliance is a youth-led organisation mainly for support, empowerment and protect the young LGBTQIA in Mauritius.
Founded in 2011, Association VISA G is an organisation mainly for Transgender people in Mauritius. VISA G is involved in legal support and empowerment of Trans.
Summary table
| Same-sex sexual activity legal |  However anal sex is illegal punishable with 5 years imprisonment. |
| Equal age of consent | |
| Anti-discrimination laws in employment only | Since 2008 |
| Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services |  |
| Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (Incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) | |
| Same-sex marriages | |
| Recognition of same-sex couples | |
| Step-child adoption by same-sex couples | |
| Joint adoption by same-sex couples | |
| Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military |  |
| Right to change legal gender | |
| Access to IVF for lesbians | |
| Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples | |
| MSMs allowed to donate blood | |
Invitation
YUVA invites you to attend the debate on this whole issue of LGBT Rights in Mauritius as the topic for the Session 2 of Mauritius Youth Parliament (MYP).
Note to participants
- You can use the language you are most comfortable in;
- Disagreements are bound to occur during the debate, but make sure you respect others’ point of view;
- The session will be photographed and photographs will be posted on public online forums; and
- You can send your questions on this topic by commenting below in this post.