Long ago, women were confined to the four walls of their houses. Their tasks revolved around nurturing children, cooking, sewing and other household chores. Nowadays, apart from being perfect wives and mothers, more women are working in all economic fields. This phenomenon is mainly due to the importance education has gained. Women are just as intelligent as men. Actually, exam results at the CPE, SC and HSC levels show that girls do as well as boys and even better.

There are women doctors, lawyers, managers, scientists and even architects and pilots: professions which require a high level of accuracy. In Mauritius and Rodrigues, many women set out at dawn to work as labourers and fishermen. The famous ?piqueuses d?ourites? of Rodrigues are the pride of the population and contribute a lot to the economy. These women daily brave the whims of Nature to provide for their families. In many households, women are the sole breadwinners who slog for long hours so that their children may have a brighter future.

However, women are physically weaker than men. They are not fit for heavy jobs requiring muscular strength. But women are morally and emotionally stronger. They can face the twists and turns of life more courageously. They are capable of spending sleepless nights and looking patiently after the sick.

As they are more patient, understanding and caring than men, they do well in occupations like nursing, social work and pre-primary teaching. In our country, many women work as houseparents at government shelters for homeless, disturbed and sexually abused children.

In fact, they are doing a wonderful job as they are continuously providing care, love and a sense of direction to these unfortunate children. In this way, these children will undoubtedly become resourceful, enlightened and step with confidence into adulthood.

Thanks to the help extended by the Smido and the National Trust Fund for Vulnerable groups, many women have taken the plunge and become self-sufficient. These women have worked their way up to becoming self-employed and even successful entrepreneurs whose products are highly appreciated locally and overseas.

Women are the architects of a happy home. They are the pillars on which everything rests. It is often mothers who inculcate moral, religious and cultural values in their kids. Actually, education is not limited to acquiring good academic qualifications but also involves values, which are the hallmarks of a happy and fulfilling life. The contribution of housewives is also invaluable. If they had to be remunerated for the innumerable tasks they perform round the clock, they would be the highest paid.

It is sad to observe that lately many women from all walks of life have been victims of domestic violence. It is laudable to note that, on the occasion of the international day against violence towards women, a great wave of solidarity has been expressed from both official authorities and non-governmental organizations.

Public opinion against domestic violence should be fully awakened and laws should be reinforced. A nation should not consider itself prosperous and civilized unless the rights of all its citizens are safeguarded.

Rukaiya KHOYRATTY