Mauritanian minister praises women’s progress in politics

Mawlay Bint al-Mukhtar says women in Mauritania have ‘achieved significant gains’ A leading female minister in Mauritania’s ruling government has praised the progress of women in the country’s society, it emerged today. Mawlay Bint al-Mukhtar, the Minister for Women and Social Affairs, said that women in Mauritania have “achieved significant gains in participating in the leadership of the country” under the current government, led by President Mohamed Walad Abdel-Aziz.
She also said she was pleased with the “changing attitudes towards women” which has contributed to improve the way the legal system represents women.
Meanwhile, the country’s Women’s Movement organised a march to celebrate International Women’s Day. The protesters raised banners demanding the Mauritanian authorities improve women’s rights in the country.
 Head of the movement, Mariam Sakina Bint Mohammed Salem, told Arabstoday that women in Mauritania are “still suffering marginalisation in terms of representation in politics” as well as rural women “who are completely ignored by the government.”
 Salem urged the Mauritanian government to confront the unemployment crisis facing women in the country.