Mauritanian women demand economic accessibility

Women’s minister, Mawlati bint Al Mukhtar Activists for women's rights in Mauritania have criticised the country's economic policies that have pushed it into a crisis, while slamming the non-inclusion of women in playing a prominent role in society. They demanded an improvement in employment conditions along with training and empowerment programmes for girls to benefit development projects that would help generate income.
Activists held commemorated a special day for women's rights in the capital, Nouakchott with the presence of the Minister of Social Affairs, Childhood and Family Mawlati bin Al Mukhtar, where women stressed the necessity for concerted efforts to eliminate marginalisation caused due to a lack of employment opportunities, as well as support for impoverished divorced women who had to support their families. They also deplored the absence of mass feeding centres and youth centres.
Civil activist and head of the fishermen funding community Douida Bent Aziad Bei demanded her organisation, of which she was elected president in January 2010, be activated so that it could give women more time to discuss their problems in order to formulate a solution.
Women’s minister Mawlati bint Al Mukhtar said the meeting was the first step in the country's north to improve the general conditions of Mauritanian women.
"We are working on the concept of severity in justice as a priority for the current government, while reviewing themes which must help protect people with special needs, promote conflict resolution, and improved health care. The ministry is dedicated to women in the city of Nouadhibou - north of the capital Nouakchott – with a financial cover of 19 million ouguiya (MRO) to support poor families and women’s cooperatives," she said.
The Wali of the city, Mohamed Vall Ould Ahmed Youra, explained that the deposit and development fund allocated to women’s issues had until now been applied to 5000 support requests. The first batch was for 60 cases allocating 149 million MRO, of which 60 percent was in the fishing sector, to be followed by income-generating projects with capital support of 1.5 billion MRO.
Mauritanian women have raised their demands after having a 20 percent quota in the transition council in 2005 after the coup on former president of Mauritania Maaouya Ould Taya. Current President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has promised more representation  for women as they represent 52 percent of Mauritania's population.