Survey reveals 68.1% of women in Mauritania are victims of gender-based violence

Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) – Gender-based violence remains an issue that sparks huge concerns in Mauritania, despite progress made over the past few years to end it.

This is part of the findings of a survey presented on Wednesday at a meeting of civil society organisations by Mrs Kadijettou Cheikh Lo, head of Gender programme at the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in Mauritania.

The national survey reveals that "68.1% of the respondents have been victims of gender-based violence", she said.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) affects 66.6% of respondents; marriage before the age of 18 years affects 35.2% of girls and pregnancies concern 21.5%.

The survey found that maternal mortality is estimated at 582 deaths/100,000 births while access to reproductive health care remains very week.

Mrs Lo noted that progress has been made on legislation against negative issues that affect females, particularly the ratification of several international conventions and adoption currently of new laws on gender-based violence.
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