Mauritius NWC Trains Women in Cybersecurity and Mental Health

The National Women's Council (NWC) of Mauritius brought together female students and women from across the island on Monday, 21 July, for a full-day workshop focused on two increasingly urgent issues: cybersecurity awareness and emotional intelligence. The event was held at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute for Public Service and Innovation (AIPSI) in Réduit, a government training and research centre located in the central highlands of Mauritius. It was organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare. **Who attended?** The workshop drew a broad audience of female students and representatives from several of Mauritius's leading higher education institutions, including the University of Mauritius, the University of Technology Mauritius (UTM), Polytechnics Mauritius, and the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD). Speakers included officers from the Mauritius Police Force and the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) — the island's specialist narcotics and trafficking agency — as well as representatives from the National Productivity and Competitiveness Council (NPCC). A clinical psychologist attached to the Ministry of Gender Equality also addressed participants. **What was discussed?** The workshop covered two main themes. The first was responsible digital citizenship — equipping women and young girls to navigate online spaces safely, understand cyber risks, and protect themselves from threats such as cyberbullying, online harassment, and digital fraud. The second was emotional intelligence, focusing on mental health awareness and the psychological tools needed to manage stress, relationships, and personal wellbeing. Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, the ministry's Permanent Secretary, Jean Daniel Philippe Labonne, underlined the importance of empowering young people to participate actively in national development. He stressed the need to build an inclusive environment where young women can develop their talents, make their voices heard, and take their place in decision-making bodies. **What this means** As internet use and smartphone penetration continue to rise in Mauritius, young women are increasingly exposed to online risks — from social media harassment to scams and identity theft. Workshops like this one aim to close the gap between digital access and digital literacy, particularly for women who may face heightened vulnerability. At the same time, mental health remains a topic that is often stigmatised or underserved in Mauritius. By pairing cybersecurity training with emotional intelligence sessions, the NWC is taking a holistic approach to women's empowerment — addressing both the external digital environment and the internal psychological resources needed to thrive in it. The National Women's Council is a statutory body under the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Welfare. It works to promote the rights, welfare, and advancement of women across Mauritius through training, advocacy, and community outreach. Source: ION News