7 billion neighbors

What rights for women in Mauritanian society?

Audio 48:30

From left to right, Aminetou Mint El Moctar, Matt Ewnen, Maimouna Ahmed Salem, Kadiata Malick Diallo, Dieynaba Ndiom and Emmanuelle Bastide © Romain Dubrac

By: Emmanuelle Bastide

2 mins

In Mauritania, women represent just over half of the country's population, yet they are still largely disadvantaged in society.

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While some progress has been made in the image of better political representation, no text or legislation legally protects women from attacks on their dignity.

Inequalities between men and women are built from childhood.

Although child marriage is prohibited by law, a third of Mauritanian girls are married before they turn 18, a quarter of them have their first child before they reach majority.

A situation that has serious consequences on their school career, their level of literacy and access to employment.

However, women are an asset to the development of the country.

According to a World Bank report, Mauritania could increase its total wealth by 19% if equality between men and women were respected.

How to improve the condition of women in Mauritania? 

Broadcast recorded in Nouakchott, Mauritania 

With :

Aminetou Mint El Moctar,

human rights activist, president of the Association of Women Heads of Households 

Kadiata Malick Diallo

, Member of Parliament for the Union of Forces for Progress (UFP)  

Matt Ewnen

, political director of the Union for the Republic (UPR).

Former Secretary General of the Ministry of Women's Affairs. 

Dieynaba Ndiom

, member of the Voix des femmes collective in Mauritania and the West African Young Feminist Network 

Maimouna Ahmed Salem,

member of the National Council of the Union for the Republic (UPR)

Musical programming:

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- Chi Ma Wafaynah 

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- Noura Mint Seymali 

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- Adviser 

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