Introduction
1. The Young Queer Alliance (YQA) envisions an inclusive and accepting society where being human is the sole prerequisite to having equal human rights and where LGBTQIA+ people are safe and free.
2. The YQA is dedicated to advancing equal human rights of LGBTQIA+ people in Mauritius by instilling a culture of volunteering and activism. The YQA seeks to empower LGBTQIA+ people to promote equality and be leaders of change.
3. Globally, LGBTQIA+ persons have the freedom to marry in 39 countries (including a vast number of European Countries) and these countries represent nearly 20% of the world population, with Netherlands (2001) and the last being Thailand (2024). South Africa is the only African country so far where same-sex couples can legally get married.
4. After the decades long work of LGBTQIA+ organisations focusing on discrimination and inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community, Afrobarometer showed an increase in tolerance for LGBTQIA+ people from 49% (2015), 55% (2018) to 60% (2022) in Mauritius. Although 90.4% (YQA, 2022) of LGBTQIA+ people saw it as priority to have access to marriage equality, same-sex couples can still not get their marriage registered in Mauritius.
5. Marriage is a legally recognised union between people as partners. It is, in most societies, the preeminent organising structure for families, bringing with it a vast array of tangible and intangible protections, responsibilities, and meanings. These tangible incidents include housing, spousal social benefits, social-security for spouses, inheritance rights, pension, insurances, loans and institutional rights and benefits.
6. People who do not have the rights to enter into marriage are, thus, in a disadvantageous position as they do not enjoy the same benefits and rights. And perhaps even more significantly, exclusion from marriage by the government sends a message of stigma that perpetuates discrimination against same-sex couples and their families, and undermines basic values of love, commitment, dignity, freedom, and equality.
7. Despite the existing legal framework and the continuing changes in laws and institutional support, and ongoing advocacy by LGBTQIA+ organisations, despite there being no prohibition of including same-sex couples within marriage in the Civil Status Act, in 2015, the Equal Opportunities Commission rejected a plaint by a same-sex-couple supported by the YQA for registration of marriage, effectively denying LGBTQIA+ citizens of their fundamental rights and freedoms, of choice, expression, privacy and other economic, social, and cultural rights.
8. In a 2022 survey conducted by the YQA (2nd Iteration Survey: The socio-economic condition of LGBTQ people in Mauritius), it was found that:
(a) 37.2% of LGBTQIA+ persons were in a couple relationship;
(b) the number of LGBTQIA+ persons living with their partner has doubled (5.6% in 2017 compared to 11.0% in 2022); and
(c) an overwhelming number of LGBTQIA+ people saw as priority to having access to civil partnership/marriage equality (78.4% in 2017 compared to 90.4% in 2022).
Objectives
9. It would be useful to have a comparative legal analysis on same-sex marriage in Mauritius to enable human rights institutions, policy makers and legislators to have an insight on the legislative framework in Mauritius with regard to Universal Human Rights principles; as well as having a baseline for legislative change. It will also help in litigation efforts for the human rights of LGBTQIA+ people.
10. With a focus on same-sex families, the research shall comprise, inter-alia:
(a) a situation overview of the evolution of rights of LGBTQIA+ persons in Mauritius;
(b) an overview of human rights standards and instruments; and desirable policies/legislations for LGBTQIA+ people with a focus on marriage and its attainment in the 39 countries so far;
(c) the Comparative Analysis for marriage equality of same-sex couples in the Republic of Mauritius, including a cataloguing of the ways in which marriage is the gateway to legal, economic, and other protections and responsibilities across a variety of important areas;
(d) identifying gaps in legal protection, socio-economic rights and benefits and support system;
(e) conclusion and recommendations; and
(f) a position paper and briefs of key issues highlighted in the research.
Deliverables
11. The deliverables of the research are expected to be completed by October 2026. Disbursement of funds in relation to the research will be made by the Young Queer Alliance as follows:
| Milestone | Disbursement |
| Submission of 10 (a), (b) and (c) | 60% |
| Submission of 10 (d) and (e) | 30% |
| Submission of 10 (f) and research dissemination | 10% |
12. Funds will be disbursed within 15 days of completion of each research milestone. A 1% of research cost penalty will be applicable to the selected applicant per day of delay in submission of the research after 31 October 2026.
13. The cost proposal should not exceed MUR 311,250.
Submission of Proposals
14. Applicants are to submit the following in their proposal:
(a) an abstract;
(b) an all-inclusive cost-breakdown of works to be undertaken;
(c) the implementation timeline; and
(d) the credentials (and experience where applicable) of the company and/or persons involved.
11. Interested applicants are kindly requested to submit proposals by email with subject “Comparative Legal Analysis – Equal Marriage” addressed to Young Queer Alliance, info@youngqueeralliance.com on or before 07 September 2025, 23:59 hrs (local time) at latest.
12. Successful applicants will be invited for an interview and presentation of their proposal as part of a selection exercise.
13. The YQA reserves the right NOT to retain any proposal following the Expression of Interest or the presentation/interview.
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