11/08/2026
: “Not because she is someone’s sister, not because he is someone’s son, and not because we happen to know them. But because they are citizens - with equal rights, freedoms and responsibilities.”
At today’s National Dialogue on Youth Voices for Gender Equality: Shaping a Gender-Equal Mauritius, President Gokhool powerfully put the conversation right where it belongs:
Beyond slogans and towards dignity, evidence, accountability and action!
Speaking at this event jointly organised by the University of Mauritius and the Gender Equality Foundation in the context of UN International Youth Day 2026, President Gokhool encouraged the audience to question the assumptions that shape everyday life:
From what boys are taught about toxic masculinity, to the stereotypes imposed on women, and the messages reinforced through films, music, social media and popular culture.
He stressed that gender equality cannot be reduced to a “women versus men” battle. Patriarchal expectations can constrain everyone, and dismantling them requires women and men to work together as partners.
President Gokhool also raised questions that Mauritius must be prepared to examine seriously:
• Why do inequalities persist even when laws, policies and awareness already exist?
• What ideas about gender do we inherit from our families, culture and communities, and continue to reinforce through films, music and online content?
• From ‘boys don’t cry’ to ‘girls are responsible for the violence they face because of what they wear’, how do we challenge toxic gender notions?
• How should society and institutions respond to the experiences of people who identify as non-binary?
• How do we understand the distinction between s*x and gender in law, education, society and public policy?
• Can universities do more to generate evidence and knowledge about Mauritius’ own gender realities?
Calling for deeper interdisciplinary academic inquiry, he highlighted the need to develop structured undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Gender Studies at the University of Mauritius - drawing on law, sociology, psychology, economics, politics, education, health, communication and the humanities.
He also welcomed the Youth Charter for Gender Equality, stressing that it must become more than a statement of principles - but a framework for evidence-based, measurable action.
And perhaps the biggest challenge he left young people with was a simple one:
When they meet again six months from now, let the conversation be about what was tried, what was learned, what changed, and what can be measured.
Some conversations are more than speeches. They are honest, necessary - and today’s was one of them. 🇲🇺 ⚧️ 🤝
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