While Seychelles has made tremendous steps in meeting the basic
practical needs of everyone and provided equality in
the public sphere to women, men, girls and boys, e.g.
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equal access to free education
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equal access to free health care services
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the right to vote
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the right to own land and property, and
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full economic participation of women in the labour market etc
Certain gender related problems persist, e.g.
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domestic violence
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risky sexual behaviour
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teenage pregnancy
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illegal abortions
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HIV/AIDS
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alcohol and substance abuse
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gender stereotyping in schools
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gender stereotyping in the labour market etc
This is because equality in higher strategic needs have
not yet been achieved between the genders. This has resulted in the fact
that the condition of women and men have changed, i.e. economically
active and educated, but their position has not. A symptom of this is the
high prevalence of domestic violence, even amongst highly educated and
wealthy women.
This is because sustainable empowerment is facilitated by not only the
provision of equal rights in public life but also equal rights in private
life, necessitating a change in the beliefs and attitudes of every
individual.
If we are to ensure that the benefits of development and growth are
shared equally amongst all members of our society and that the
Seychellois people are fully empowered in a sustainable manner, we must:
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Ensure that gendered social relations are understood
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Incorporate the needs and concerns of women, men, girls and boys
into all our policies, programmes and activities
Otherwise we will fail to effectively address the underlying root
causes of these gender related problems and continue to put our efforts
and resources into addressing their symptoms.
Gender is everybody’s business, not an issue that concern only women or
the Ministry holding the portfolio responsibility. Change must be
effected by men as well as women, as a change in social relations between
men and women is what is needed, affecting every part of our daily lives.
In order to effectively address this cross-cutting issue, we need the
co-operation and collaboration of all sectors of society.
Gender Management System (GMS) in Seychelles
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