DPM makes plea to provide renewed opportunities for shelter children

The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie, made a plea to the population to foster children and teenagers from shelters, giving them a second chance to thrive in a safe and happy family unit.

She was speaking at a ceremony organised by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare to mark the World Foster Day, on Saturday 30 May 2026, in Phoenix.

A Peer Support Groups for foster parents was also held on the occasion, with the aim of taking stock of the challenges they are facing and discuss ways to further improve the Foster Care Programme. The 'House of Care and Affection', an artistic creation depicting a happy family in the warmth of their home, whereby each brick symbolises the links of the members of the family, was unveiled by the DPM.

In her keynote address, the DPM emphasised that World Foster Day highlights every child's right to grow up in a safe, loving environment. Foster families fulfill this promise by opening their hearts and homes to vulnerable children, providing them with renewed opportunities to thrive under the care and affection of a supportive family, she said.

Mrs Navarre-Marie deplored that too many children miss out on foster care due to negative media portrayals that fuel unfair stereotypes. While acknowledging that some children exhibit challenging behaviors stemming from past trauma, the Minister stressed that these isolated cases must not result in collective punishment for all children living in shelters.

She expressed deep pride and appreciation for the families who welcome foster children into their homes, defying the negative mindsets and biases surrounding foster care in the Mauritian community. The DPM indicated that 129 children are currently placed with 99 foster families, adding that Rs 15 million was allocated to the Foster Care Programme in the previous budget.

The Minister also noted that following last year's World Foster Day, the Ministry has taken steps to streamline foster care and revise legal frameworks. She called on the public to support Government efforts to improve the lives of children in shelters, ensuring an inclusive society where they can build a successful future.

01 June 2026

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Topics: Gender