?Nature has given women two painful but heavenly gifts, which distinguish them and often raise them above human nature - compassion and enthusiasm. By compassion, they devote themselves; by enthusiasm they exalt themselves,? says Alphonse de Lamartine.

In recent decades, much progress has been made. On a worldwide level, women?s access to education and proper health care has increased; their participation in the paid labour force grown; and legislation that promises equal opportunities for women and respect for their human rights has been adopted in many countries. The world now has an ever-growing number of women participating in society as policy-makers.

Three or four decades ago, our society was male-dominated with women occupying the bottom rung of the ladder in many areas. As men were considered to be the sole breadwinners, the role of women was relegated.

After independence, much emphasis was laid on industrialization. The economic development in the 1980?s transformed Mauritian society, giving the opportunity to Mauritian women to become the pivot of development. Female labour was absorbed by the textile industry. Women began to enjoy economic independence, their status in society rose and they enjoyed more dignity.

Trade unions fought for equal wages and such demands were backed by feminist movements fighting for equal rights. Another factor which has played a major role in boosting the status of Mauritian women is education. Free education was granted in 1977. Since then, many more women and girls began to have access to education. Girls always perform better than boys at all levels. Today many women occupy posts of responsibility after completing their tertiary education. Women are present in almost all sectors, performing jobs considered as male-oriented. Many young women are postponing their marriages to lay more emphasis on their personal career.

Today the teaching profession is being feminised. We already have 62 % female teachers in our schools. It is important that women participate in decision making. Women should also be active on the trade union front . Though the Government Teachers? Union has existsed for 60 years now, initiatives have not been taken in the past to organize a gender structure and to empower women. We must be thankful to the GTU?s new team, especially the president who believes in competence. A series of positive action policies aiming at improving the participation of women in the union?s activities and better conditions in the union which supports women?s participation both as members and leaders have been created. We can only hope that lady teachers will fully collaborate and make the best use of those opportunities and hence shine on the union scene. It would be a way to show how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development.

<B>Sandeea NATASHA J. </B>