Socioeconomic Development 822. 823. 824. The second challenge is the status of women. Mauritius has made considerable progress at the legislative level and in access to education to improve it. It must now move quickly to ensure that they have access to positions of responsibility on political and economic decision-making bodies in both the private sector and in civil society. Mauritius has great potential and countless opportunities because of its exceptional living environment, its highly positive image in the international community, its neighbours and African partners, its quality of human capital, and its highly regarded Diaspora in major world centres. It has made great progress in finance, business and new technologies. These opportunities and potential are likely to set Mauritius on a path to a higher level of development. It needs financial rigour, but it must base this on a vision and collective desire. Mauritius must attach as much importance to efficiency as it does to integration and cohesion. 6.2 Standards and codes i. Summary of the Country Self-Assessment Report (CSAR) 825. The CSAR does not deal substantively with standards and codes. In fact, it refers to them in passing. It cites the international laws to which Mauritius has acceded under objective 5, which deals with gender equality. They include ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1985. The CSAR emphasises that this international convention: (i) guarantees all women the right to work; (ii) guarantees all women the freedom to choose a profession; (iii) guarantees equal employment opportunities; (iv) applies the same selection criteria to women as to men for employment and promotion and all the benefits thereof; (v) guarantees job security, professional stability, vocational training, social security, equal remuneration and equal treatment to women; and (vi) guarantees other rights to women. 826. 290 Chapter 6 By signing this convention, Mauritius committed itself to implementing a series of measures aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination against women. They are, in particular: • Including the gender equality principle in the legal system, abolishing all discriminatory laws and adopting appropriate laws that prohibit discrimination against women. Chapter 6 • • Socioeconomic Development Creating tribunals and other public institutions to ensure that women are effectively protected against discrimination. Eliminating all acts of discrimination against women by individuals, organisations or companies. ii. Findings of the Country Review Mission (CRM) 827. The CRM notes, from its own investigations and documentary research, that Mauritius has made significant progress in signing and ratifying international and regional treaties and conventions. 828. In order to establish a legal and institutional foothold in socioeconomic development that complies with international and regional conventions, Mauritius signed or ratified the following conventions: • • • • • • • • • The Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU), ratified on 13 April 2001. The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, ratified on 19 June 2002. The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, ratified on 14 February 1992. The African Platform on the Rights to Education (1999). The Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa (1969). The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003). The Declaration on the Framework for an OAU Response to Unconstitutional Changes of Government (2000), adopted during the OAU Summit of 12 July 2000. The Declaration and Plan of Action on Control of Illicit Drug Trafficking and Abuse in Africa (2002), adopted during AU Summit of 8 July 2002. The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Framework Documents. 829. Mauritius has also acceded to the following international treaties: • • • • • The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, acceded to or ratified on 12 December 1972. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (acceded to or ratified on the same date). CEDAW (9 July 1984). The Optional Protocol to CEDAW (31 October 2008). The Convention on the Rights of the Child (26 July 1990). 291