Mauritius is experiencing a daily nightmare of violence. NGOs and opposition leaders are pointing to the worsening social development. Violence is in every corner.

The only movement working in the field of domestic violence led by Radha Gungaloo has been talking about this situation for some time. Now funding to continue the work among women facing domestic abuse has dried up. If no financial support is available, the movement must close shop. Men themselves have begun to realise that, unless they do something to save the day, they too will face the consequences.

In a petition to the PM, the group ?Collectif de Solidarité et de Vigilance Citoyenne au masculine? through their representative, Jean-Marie Richard, wrote: ?Violence against women makes us ashamed. We do not recognise ourselves in such acts.? Why have men allowed themselves to fall so low for so long before they act? It is high time that men stand up and face the reality of the situation.

I am pleased to learn that L?organisation pour l?unité (OPU) is organising a forum-debate at Quatre-Bornes ?to bring all Mauritians to live without violence, which inevitably leads to indescribable aggressions,? says Dr C. Virahsawmy, the honorary president of OPU.

Our politicians are too concerned with their own survival. All the talk about law and order, marches and vigils by various groups are desperate cries for peace. In the coming month, the world will be marking the day of Peace. This is the right time for OPU and the various bodies involved in restoring a culture of peace, unity and non-violence on this beautiful island of ours to make a difference.

Writing in Mauritian Abroad, Radha Gungaloo said: ?After years of campaigning and lobbying, the Protection from Domestic Violence Act was enacted. The law provides for an exclusion order of the violent partner from the home. Such orders are rarely granted as the dominant ideology, which permeates the judicial system, is that ?the man is the master, if not the king, of his house?. While women and children have to run for shelter, violent men still enjoy the comfort of their house! Although an increasing number of women seek help, advice, support and a shelter when the violence has become unbearable, many more still suffer in silence. Women stay not because they like the violence, but for social, cultural, religious and economic reasons.?

Loga Virahsawmy?s campaign in ?Mauritius: strangled by our own silence? painted a grisly picture of violence. She wrote that the latest attacks on women are enough evidence that, underneath the layers of Mauritius? seemingly calm society, are deep-seated misogynist temperaments.

The Mauritian branch of Amnesty International from last October to December launched an awareness campaign against domestic violence. Ombudsperson Shirin Aumeeraddy-Cziffra?s work for children?s rights and protection is equally well-known.

Our people are willing to address this culture of violence if proper backing exists; we have plenty of local experts and social engineers to lead the way forward out of this abysmal situation. The issue of violence affects all, men and women. It is only right that both should play an active role in the fight to control this behaviour. The conference by OPU should be an opportunity to address this issue. It must not be reduced to a talking shop; concrete actions should be taken to address this social evil which is giving our island a bad name.

Dr David B. LINGIAH