GENEVA (22 September 2023)  ̶  A UN expert group on discrimination against women and girls will conduct its first official visit to Mauritania from 25 September to 6 October 2023.

During the visit, the Working Group will assess progress and challenges in achieving gender equality and eliminating discrimination against women and girls in the country, including legislative reforms and policies implemented to promote the rights of women and girls, achieve substantive gender equality and address structural discrimination.

The Working Group will visit Nouakchott and Bassikounou, where they will meet with national and local authorities, independent entities, women and girls, civil society organisations, academics, journalists, elected women leaders, UN entities and other international stakeholders.

The visit will be led by Meskerem Geset Techane, Member of the Working Group.

The Working Group will hold a press conference at 11:30 (local time) on Friday 6 October 2023 at Hôtel Azalai, 160, Avenue Gamal Abdel Nasser Nouakchott. Access will be strictly limited to accredited journalists.

The Working Group will present its report to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2024.