On International Women’s Day 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) joined Mauritius authorities to deliver comprehensive health screenings to over 325 women at Beau Bassin Women’s Prison, as reported in an official statement published by the WHO African Regional Office. The two-day initiative covered 220 female detainees and 105 women prison officers, offering screenings for hypertension, diabetes, breast cancer, and cervical cancer. The day opened with detainees performing songs, slam poetry, and sketches — their message direct and clear: “Donne nou ene deuxieme chance” — “Let us have a second chance.”
The choice of venue was deliberate. Under this year’s global theme of “Rights. Justice. Action,” a women’s prison made for a pointed reminder that universal health coverage means reaching everyone, including those most easily forgotten.
WHO Representative Dr. Abdou Salam Gueye stressed the urgency of early detection as noncommunicable diseases continue to rise globally. UN Resident Coordinator Lisa Simrique Singh highlighted detainees’ resilience and the importance of rehabilitation and reintegration, while the Commissioner for Prisons noted that skills training in areas like pastry making, hairdressing, and farming is already supporting that process. Beyond screenings, hygiene kits were distributed to detainees and donations made to support educational activities inside the facility.
The initiative was organized in collaboration with the Mauritius Prison Service, the Ministries of Health and Gender Equality, and a broad coalition including UNFPA, FAO, the State Bank of Mauritius, and the Rotary Club of Souillac. That multi-sectoral reach gave the event weight beyond a single day — and the message it carried was unambiguous: dignity, health, and a second chance are not privileges. They are rights.