Children’s rights at the heart of Ombudsperson’s Annual Report 2025/26

The recommendations contained in the 2025–2026 Annual Report of the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children place children’s health, rights, dignity and wellbeing at the centre of effective policy and action.

The Annual Report was officially presented today at the Caudan Arts Centre in Port Louis by the Ombudsperson for Children, Mrs Aneeta Ghoorah. It highlights a range of concerns affecting children in Mauritius and calls for stronger preventive measures, clearer institutional responsibilities and greater accountability to ensure that commitments translate into tangible improvements in children’s lives.

The event was attended by the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, Mr Satyajit Boolell, SC, as well as various personalities and stakeholders.

Among its key recommendations, the Report calls for greater emphasis on preventive health strategies and early intervention to address health concerns and promote lifelong wellbeing. It also advocates a child-rights-based approach to better understand and respond to children’s behaviour.

The Report further calls for concrete measures to ensure that intersex children are protected, respected and able to live with dignity. It also stresses the need for clearly defined responsibilities, effective implementation, measurable outcomes and robust accountability among institutions responsible for children’s rights and welfare.

In her address, Mrs Ghoorah described the launch of the Report as an opportunity to reflect on the Office’s 23-year journey and its continued efforts to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children in Mauritius.

She highlighted several key areas of concern, including the rights of babies and toddlers; children with serious behavioural difficulties; barriers to autism support and inclusive education; the rights of intersex children; youth participation; mental health challenges; social vulnerabilities; growing online risks; and the right to health.

Mrs Ghoorah called for greater emphasis on early intervention, effective protection and accountable institutions, while ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up safe and healthy, to be respected and to have their voice heard.

The Ombudsperson for Children urged stakeholders to move beyond words and translate commitments into concrete action. She pointed out that today’s babies will become the citizens of Mauritius in 20 years, stressing that their health, education, protection, emotional wellbeing and sense of dignity will help shape both the society they inherit and the society they will ultimately build.

02 October 2026

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