An in-depth study of the condition of the Mauritian child is an urgent necessity because Mauritius has reached a stage in its development where the family, the traditional guardian of the child's welfare and interests, is slowly undergoing silent transformations in its organisation and values. As the future of a nation, the well-being of its population, the quality of its labour force in a highly competitive world, depends to a large extent upon the quality of the treatment dispensed to its children in terms of health care, education, legal protection, housing facilities, and leisure activities, it is imperative that ways and means of improving the child's condition in Mauritius, be reflected upon and suggested. In our present world of economic uncertainty and insecurity, we cannot afford not to take measures to ensure the welfare and well-being of our children as unhealthy and poorly educated children give birth to an unhealthy nation, a poor labour force, a discontented population and a State where there is constant frustration and instability. The child's rights must therefore be respected and its needs must be provided for in order to give birth to the fully developed human being (educated, well-fed, physically and mentally healthy) who is going to take his/her proper place in society.)
