The Mauritanian Parliament, in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), organized a dialogue session between a group of girls and parliamentarians at the National Assembly in Nouakchott. This event was held to commemorate the International Day of the Girl, which is observed on October 11th every year. The session aimed to empower girls to engage in direct dialogue with representatives of the people, express their opinions and aspirations, and discuss issues that concern them, particularly in the areas of education, protection, and participation in public life.
The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Meraha Bent Mahfouz L'Merabett, stated that the interest in girls' issues is not limited to ensuring their rights to education, health, and protection, but also includes empowering them to express their opinions and participate in discussions on issues that affect their present and future. She highlighted the importance of this meeting in promoting communication between girls and their representatives in the legislative institution and fostering a culture of dialogue and listening to their proposals.
The Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication, and Relations with Parliament, Mohamed Ould Bebane, praised initiatives like this and reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting and accompanying activities organized by the National Assembly to enhance the capacities of parliamentarians. He noted that childhood issues occupy an important place in national public policies and receive special attention from President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, who has made human capital development and social inclusion key axes of his "Ambition for the Country" program.
The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Work, Childhood, and Family, Hamoudi Cheikhna Ould Ali, emphasized that caring for girls, protecting their rights, and empowering them is not just a social choice or development requirement, but a moral, humanitarian, and national responsibility based on the values of Islam. He commended the National Assembly for organizing this awareness day in coordination with UNICEF, which provides an opportunity to raise parliamentarians' awareness of the challenges faced by girls.
The Resident Representative of UNICEF in Mauritania, Al-Kabir Al-Alawi, stated that this meeting reflects the National Assembly's commitment to giving more space to the voices of Mauritanian girls in their country. He thanked the National Assembly and the Mauritanian government for organizing this meeting, which puts girls at the heart of national dialogue. Al-Alawi noted that Mauritania is making significant efforts to ensure girls' rights, but some girls still face challenges that this dialogue session can help address.
The dialogue session provided a platform for girls to express their opinions and concerns, and for parliamentarians to listen and respond to their needs. The event demonstrated the commitment of the Mauritanian government and parliament to promoting girls' empowerment and participation in public life. The partnership between the National Assembly and UNICEF was also highlighted as a key factor in promoting girls' rights and well-being.
The International Day of the Girl is an annual event that aims to promote girls' empowerment and address the challenges they face. The celebration in Mauritania highlights the country's efforts to prioritize girls' education, protection, and participation in public life. Key stakeholders, including government officials, parliamentarians, and UNICEF representatives, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting girls' development and empowerment.
Key points
- The Mauritanian Parliament and UNICEF organized a dialogue session between girls and parliamentarians to mark the International Day of the Girl.
- The event aimed to empower girls to express their opinions and aspirations, and discuss issues that concern them.
- The celebration highlights Mauritania's efforts to prioritize girls' education, protection, and participation in public life.
