Female inmates empowered through Vocational Training

The progressive vision adopted by the Mauritius Prison Service to administer justice while promoting a culture of second chances was commended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Marie Arianne Navarre-Marie, this afternoon, at the Women Prison in Beau Bassin.

The Deputy Prime Minister together with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mr Jean Daniel Philippe Labonne; the Commissioner of Prisons, Mr Rashid Ali Issa Beekun; and other personalities attended an award ceremony during which certificates were presented to female inmates who had successfully completed training programmes in Beauty Care and Hairdressing.

The event was organised by the Mauritius Prison Service in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare. The training programmes, which are approved by the Mauritius Qualifications Authority (MQA), form part of initiatives undertaken by the Ministry to promote the economic empowerment of women, enhance their vocational skills and support their socio-economic reintegration.

Some nine participants successfully completed the Basic Beauty Care Course, organised in collaboration with the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD) and were presented with Beauty Care Kits to assist them in their future endeavours. Seven inmates obtained certificates in hairdressing with the training sponsored by the non-governmental organisation, (NGO), Association Kinouété. It is noted that a Woman Prisons Officer/ Senior Prison Officer successfully completed the hairdressing course and will accompany inmates who are interested in pursuing the training.

In her address, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed that genuine rehabilitation was to enable inmates to use their time in prison to work towards a better future. She put forward the importance of such training programmes in the process of rehabilitation by equipping participants with practical skills that can contribute to greater economic independence and facilitate their reintegration into society. “The initiative reflects the Ministry’s continued commitment to providing women with opportunities to develop their capabilities and improve their prospects for sustainable livelihoods,” she said.

Saluting the Mauritius Prison Service for providing inmates with a second chance, Mrs Navarre-Marie stressed that, through training and education, inmates would be better equipped to start a new chapter in their lives upon leaving prison. She highlighted that economic empowerment was key to creating financial and social stability and independence among vulnerable groups. She added that, by acquiring relevant skills and developing their talents, the participants had built their confidence, regained their dignity and rewritten their own life story.

The Deputy Prime Minister also praised the awardees for their resilience and commitment to striving for a better future. She underlined that the stay in prison should not defined them and that, with their certificate and newly acquired skills, they could emerge stronger and more confident. Mrs Navarre-Marie urged them to invest in themselves by pursuing lifelong learning. She further encouraged them, upon their release, to avail the assistance and schemes provided by the National Women Entrepreneur Council to establish micro-enterprises and achieve greater economic independence.

For his part, the Commissioner of Prisons reiterated the commitment of the Mauritius Prison Service to rehabilitation by shifting the focus from detention towards promoting dignity, social responsibility and individual development through training, with a view to supporting inmates’ reintegration into society. He stated that professional development was important in preventing recidivism, and reducing violence while enabling participants to acquire greater competence and develop hope for a better future and a life of dignity.

The Commissioner explained that only 10% of the penitentiary population were women with needs that were more complex alongside heightened vulnerabilities. He was adamant that rehabilitation could not be undertaken in isolation, but required collaboration among public and private organisations, non-governmental organisations and civil society to develop sustainable solutions. He highlighted the importance of collective responsibility as well, noting that prison officers were also participating in training programmes so that they could better support inmates in the various courses they undertake.

Addressing the awardees, Mr Rashid Ali Issa Beekun said that completing the courses was about more than obtaining a certificate; it was a testament to the acquisition of new skills and competencies that could contribute to their economic independence.

Following the award ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister visited various units at the Women’s Prison, including the Beauty Care Unit, Pastry Unit, Mother and Child Care Unit, Garment-Making Shop, Rug Mat Workshop, Tailor Shop and the Nelson Mandela Book Corner, where she was apprised of the activities and initiatives being undertaken by inmates.

27 August 2026

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Topics: Education, Gender, Training