News stories by Nasseem Ackburally

With drug trafficking rampant in the small Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius, social workers and drug treatment centres are noting an increasing number of children and youth are now becoming addicted to drugs.

'We have had enough of the training given to us in cooking, sewing and household works… We now have another dream: of participating actively in the development of our island at decision-making level,' says Marie-Anne Laganne, a political trainer at Women In Politics.

A new initiative to support production of renewable energy in Mauritius may provide a model for other countries to follow suit.

The small island state of Mauritius is the only African country likely to meet all eight of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 - at least on paper. But its citizens say government could do more to improve livelihoods, gender equality and environmental sustainability.

'Instead of moaning all the time, why don’t you create your own (political) party?' some men asked Brigitte Rabemanantsoa Rasamoelina, a female politician from Madagascar. She accepted the challenge and in February formed <i>Ampela Mano Politika</i>, a political party which started with only 22 female members and now has over 5,000 female members ... and 10 men.

Incumbent Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has won the Mauritian election, retaining a third term of office.

She cannot swim, but Marie-Claite Hector is not afraid of the ocean. The 53-year-old pushes her small boat with all her strength towards the blue lagoon, starts the engine, and sets out to sea.