On Tuesday 28 February, a launching event was held to inaugurate an aquaponics and hydroponics training farm at the Beau Bassin Prison. These facilities, set up with the financial assistance of the UNDP Country Office for Mauritius, aim at promoting a human rights-based and rehabilitative approach to incarceration by providing vocational training to women inmates.

The support of the UNDP to this project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and involves partnering with the Office of the Prime Minister for the "Re-engineering of the Correctional Services" project, which links several SDGs, including SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and SDG 5 on Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality. This project is considered as particularly noteworthy because it provides 38 women inmates with valuable economic empowerment skills for their future. 

During the launching event, the Honorable Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, acknowledged UNDP’s unwavering support to the Government in its efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. He also thanked the Mauritius Prison Service for “its impactful work towards changes in the character and behavior of convicts helping them to transition to mainstream society.”

For her part, Ms. Amanda Serumaga, UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles Resident Representative stated that “The United Nations Development Programme is continuing its efforts towards achieving socio-economic transformation, advancing women's leadership and economic empowerment, promoting environmental protection using renewable energies, advocating for climate action, and collaborating with private sector and civil society organisations to achieve sustainable growth and development”.

Mr. Jaganaden Rungadoo, Acting Commissioner of Prisons, mentioned that the new training farm will help in the rehabilitation of the women detainees who often face difficulties to secure a job after their time in custody. He added that the aquaponic and hydroponic training farm will contribute to enhance the food sufficiency of the Mauritius Prison Services, which presently produce 25% of their vegetable consumption. The acting Commissioner of Prisons also thanked the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI) for their financial and technical support to the project.