Building emotional resilience and digital responsibility among young women

A one-day workshop on emotional intelligence and responsible digital citizenship for young girls and women was held this morning at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute for Public Service and Innovation (AIPSI) in Réduit.

Organised by the National Women’s Council, under the aegis of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, the workshop focused on strengthening emotional intelligence and promoting responsible digital citizenship among young girls and women. Representatives of the University of Mauritius, the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD), the University of Technology, Mauritius, and Polytechnics Mauritius participated in the programme.

The programme also featured interventions by representatives of the Mauritius Police Force, the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit and the National Productivity and Competitiveness Council, as well as a Clinical Psychologist from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare.

Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Jean Daniel Philippe Labonne, stressed the importance of empowering young people to participate actively in society and contribute to national development. He highlighted the need to create an environment where they can develop their talents, express their views and participate in decision-making.

Mr Labonne also underscored the growing challenges young people face online, including cyberbullying, online harassment and disinformation. He emphasised the importance of responsible digital citizenship and emotional intelligence in helping young people manage their emotions, develop resilience and empathy, communicate constructively, and respond appropriately to online threats.

The Chairperson of the National Women’s Council, Mrs Anoo Murachpersad-Lanfray, called on young people to move beyond routine questions such as “How are you?” and engage in genuine conversations and support.

According to her, distress is not always visible, as individuals facing difficulties may appear happy and successful on social media. She encouraged young people to reach out to friends who become withdrawn or unusually silent and to seek support from a trusted parent, teacher or counsellor when needed. Mrs Murachpersad-Lanfray also stressed the importance of reducing the stigma associated with asking for help.

21 September 2026

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Topics: Gender, Youth