06/11/2026
♿ INCLUSION CANNOT BE DISCUSSED WITHOUT INCLUSION!
On 5 November 2026, I had the opportunity to attend the workshop organised by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) on the theme “Confronting Discrimination Based on Impairment in Employment, Education and Public Life”, in my capacity as President of Inclusion Mauritius.
I was also pleased that Ms Pooja Gopee, Director of Programme at Inclusion Mauritius, was among the speakers contributing to this important discussion.
👏 First and foremost, I commend the EOC for organising this much-needed initiative. It provided a valuable platform for dialogue, reflection and discussion on the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Mauritius.
However, while the workshop was a positive beginning, I believe several fundamental issues deserve greater attention.
🔴 1. WHERE WERE THE VOICES OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES?
How can we meaningfully discuss disability inclusion and discrimination without ensuring that persons with disabilities themselves are adequately represented as speakers and decision-makers?
Nothing About Us Without Us!
Persons with disabilities should not merely be the subject of discussions. They must be at the forefront of shaping policies, sharing experiences and proposing solutions.
🔴 2. ARE NGOs THEMSELVES VICTIMS OF SYSTEMIC DISCRIMINATION?
During the workshop, I raised a concern that has been overlooked for far too long.
Many NGOs in Mauritius, particularly charitable organisations supporting persons with disabilities, are struggling to survive.
We speak about equal opportunities, decent employment and workers’ rights. Yet, what about the very organisations providing essential services to some of the most vulnerable members of our society?
❗ Many NGOs struggle to offer competitive salaries and adequate employment benefits.
❗ Dedicated employees work under difficult financial conditions, despite their invaluable contribution.
❗ Recruiting qualified paramedical professionals, therapists and specialists remains extremely challenging because of insufficient funding.
❗ Even remuneration for management positions remains an unresolved concern in parts of the sector.
Are we not witnessing a form of structural inequality affecting the very institutions responsible for promoting inclusion?
How can we expect NGOs to provide quality services, retain qualified professionals and uphold employment standards when the necessary financial support is lacking?
My question to the EOC is simple:
👉 When will these structural inequalities be addressed?
👉 Who is examining the employment conditions of NGO workers?
👉 How can we advocate for equal opportunities while overlooking the inequalities experienced by those working in the disability sector?
🔴 3. WHY WAS THE SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS AUTHORITY (SENA) NOT A KEY PARTNER?
Another important point I raised concerns the involvement of the Special Education Needs Authority (SENA).
SENA plays a crucial role in the education and development of learners with special educational needs, particularly those aged approximately 5 to 20 years.
Given that the workshop addressed discrimination in education and employment, SENA should have been among the key institutional partners and represented in the panel discussions.
Its involvement is essential to bridge the gap between education, transition planning, vocational training and future employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
🔴 4. MAURITIUS HAS LOCAL EXPERTISE. WHY ARE WE NOT USING IT FULLY?
Finally, I wish to raise a question that deserves serious reflection.
Why do we so often seek international expertise to validate challenges and solutions that our own professionals, NGOs, educators, therapists and disability advocates have been highlighting for years?
International collaboration certainly has its value.
However, Mauritius does not lack local expertise. What we need is greater recognition, trust and meaningful involvement of our local professionals.
Our local experts understand the realities on the ground because they experience these challenges every day.
Their knowledge and contributions deserve to be recognised.
🟢 A POSITIVE BEGINNING — BUT WE NEED ACTION!
I sincerely appreciate the EOC’s willingness to initiate these conversations.
Nevertheless, workshops and consultations must not become repetitive annual exercises without measurable outcomes.
Let this workshop be the beginning of meaningful change, not simply another discussion that ends when the doors close.
Because inclusion is not just about organising workshops.
