Ministers of Social Labor and Higher Education supervise the Launch of an Awareness Campaign for University Girls

The Minister of Social Action, Childhood and Family, Ms. Safia Bint N’ tahah, together with the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mr. Yacoub Ould Moyne, on Thursday in Nouakchott, oversaw the launch of an awareness campaign for university girls on working in the field of justice and security, as part of a comprehensive national vision that seeks to promote the role of women in the fields of security and justice.

The campaign, organized by the Ministry of Social Action, Childhood and Family, in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the University of Nouakchott, aims to promote the role of women in the fields of security and justice, within the framework of a comprehensive national vision that seeks to empower women and establish the principles of equal opportunities between genders in all sectors.

In a speech on the occasion, the Minister said that the empowerment of women is at the forefront of the ambitions of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazwani, who affirmed in the fourth lever of those ambitions his determination to empower and promote women, and the general policy of the government, coordinated by the Prime Minister, Mr. Mokhtar Ould Agai, translated those ambitions and detailed them in a number of projects, programs and activities that regulate these commitments, pointing out that it is in this context that this ambitious campaign is launched.

She added that women have played various roles in military service since the dawn of history, and the Islamic religion has granted women a prominent role in all functions within the state, including policing, but a number of obstacles and traditions have long limited women’s participation to certain roles, explaining that this is being overcome through a number of government strategies, most importantly the National Strategy for the Institutionalization of Gender.

She pointed out that this initiative comes as part of the ongoing efforts to implement the National Strategy for Gender Integration, which prioritizes enhancing women’s access to security and judicial positions and creating a supportive environment for their active participation in building a more just and secure society.

She pointed out that women’s participation in security and justice is not just an option, but a necessity to promote social justice and achieve sustainable development, noting that international and regional experiences have proven that the inclusion of women in these sectors contributes significantly to improving institutional performance, enhancing social cohesion, and consolidating a culture of human rights.

She explained that through this campaign, they seek to break the stereotypes that prevent women from joining these vital professions, encourage young women to join the security and judicial sectors, honor pioneering women in these fields, highlight their inspiring achievements, and motivate security and judicial institutions to adopt policies that take into account equal opportunities between the sexes.

She called on government institutions, civil society, international partners, and the media to unite their efforts to achieve all the lofty goals, calling on those in charge of the justice and security sectors and military and security chiefs of staff to encourage women to enter these professions and work to overcome obstacles that stand in the way.

She congratulated the women who broke into these professions and excelled in their performance, noting that the sector honored some of them on the occasion of this year’s International Women’s Day, organized under the high patronage of the First Lady.

The Minister called on all Mauritanian girls to pursue careers in justice, security and defense, noting that they are fertile areas to demonstrate their abilities and skills, stressing in the same context the sector’s commitment to support women in all fields, stressing that the campaign is only a step in a long path towards a more equitable and equal society.

For her part, the Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ms. Aline Afan, expressed her pleasure to participate in the awareness days on young girls’ access to careers in justice and security, praising the role of the country’s high authorities, as well as all partners.

However, in many countries of the world, especially in our region, women’s participation in these sectors is still very limited, she said, emphasizing that women’s participation is necessary to ensure a more just, inclusive and resilient society in the face of contemporary challenges, adding that Mauritania, often cited as an example of stability in the Sahel region, now has the opportunity to further enhance this stability by ensuring greater representation of women in the judicial and security professions.

Mauritania, which is often cited as an example of stability in the Sahel region, now has the opportunity to further enhance this stability by ensuring greater representation of women in the judicial and security professions, noting that fair justice and inclusive security cannot be built without the full participation of women, explaining that the inclusion of women in these sectors is essential.

Through this project, which is jointly implemented by UNODC, UNFPA, UN Women and funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund, the project seeks to raise awareness among young girls about the opportunities available in these professions, break the stereotypes that limit their access to these professions and enhance the capacities of future generations of Mauritanian leaders.

The ceremony also saw the honoring of personalities who have made great efforts in women’s empowerment and participation. The ministers then toured the wings of a photo exhibition dedicated to some of the women affiliated with the justice and security professions.

The opening ceremony was attended by the president of the University of Nouakchott, administrative and security authorities of the West Nouakchott governorate, and some representatives of international organizations in Mauritania.