HATÎCE ŞEXNA

Mauritania- Mauritanian women participate in the labor force despite gender stereotypes. 22-year-old Al-Salika Bint Al-Hassan sells vegetables in the streets to meet her needs.

‘Women should make efforts to participate in economic activities’

Al-Salika Bint Al-Hassan thinks that women should participate in the labor force to earn a living. “Women should not depend on anyone,” she said, empathizing that women should make efforts to participate in economic activities. “Working and earning money mean not being dependent on anyone. Mauritanian women should first believe in themselves. When they believe in themselves, they can participate in economic activities. Women, who do not work, always have to depend on others.”

‘Staying at home is not a solution’

Indi Mohamed Abdullah started working after thinking that staying at home was not a solution to the deteriorating financial situation of her family. She sells vegetables and fish in the streets to support her family. “I have children and some of them go to schools while some had to drop out of school due to our deteriorating financial situation. I cook fish for my children when I cannot sell them.”

Since Indi Mohamed Abdullah does not have a fishing cooler, she wants to rent a place to keep vegetables fresh and prevent fish spoilage. She called on the authorities to support her. “Women's role in society can be strengthened by promoting women’s economic empowerment.”