At the end of 2024, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) launched a project to strengthen and enhance collaboration between Italy and Mauritania on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, with a particular focus on the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE).

To achieve this goal, the project focuses on identifying key stakeholders, fostering dialogue, sharing good practices, and developing strategic policy recommendations. It aims to build synergies between national authorities of both countries, as well as Mauritanian civil society organizations (CSOs), and religious leaders, promoting a comprehensive approach to addressing WPS challenges in the Sahel. The project will provide key stakeholders with actionable insights and recommendations to support the development of effective and sustainable WPS-PVE partnerships with Mauritania, grounded in rigorous gender analysis and adaptable to the region’s complex realities. By developing a comprehensive strategic framework for WPS initiatives, this project contributes to more sustainable peace and resilience in Mauritania and the broader Sahel region.

Background

Since 2015, UNICRI has implemented gender-sensitive P/CVE projects in the Sahel, supporting research, policy development, and capacity-building initiatives. Its latest research, Voices of Resilience: A Gender Needs Analysis on Preventing Violent Extremism in the Sahel, examined the perceptions and experiences of women, girls, men, and boys in Mali, Mauritania, and Niger to highlight how to best design PVE initiatives tailored to local needs and based on solid gender analysis. Through this work, it has become clear that while Mauritania has maintained relative stability compared to its neighbours, it remains vulnerable to radicalization driven by socio-political and economic challenges. Indeed, youth unemployment, gender inequalities, and climate-related vulnerabilities continue to pose security risks, which violent extremist groups can exploit.

In this fragile context, women play a crucial role in peace and security efforts. While challenges persist—such as the prevalence of forced marriage, particularly among rural girls - Mauritania has made significant strides in promoting women's participation in PVE and security initiatives. Civil society organizations are actively engaged in gender-responsive approaches, fostering awareness, supporting women’s empowerment, and implementing locally driven solutions. Additionally, women in the country are recognized as important actors in preventing violent extremism within their families and communities, as they play a crucial role in community mobilization and awareness raising. Despite remaining gaps and vulnerabilities, these efforts highlight Mauritania’s potential to further advance the WPS agenda and strengthen women’s leadership in security and prevention policies.

Building on UNICRI’s experience in the Sahel, this initiative aligns with the WPS agenda, as established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which underscores the importance of:
•    Women’s participation in peace and security decision-making.
•    Gender-responsive approaches to PVE.
•    Strategic partnerships between governments, civil society, and international actors.

Main Activities

Stakeholder Mapping

To develop a comprehensive understanding of the WPS and PVE landscape in Mauritania, UNICRI will conduct a stakeholder mapping exercise to identify key actors, their roles, existing challenges, and strategic areas of interest in the Sahel region.
•    Desk Review: Identify and map key actors working on WPS issues in Mauritania, providing an up-to-date overview of active entities and their specific areas of focus within the WPS framework in the country.
•    Stakeholder Consultations: Engage with key actors – including national authorities, CSOs, and religious leaders – to assess needs, challenges, and good practices related to WPS, with a focus on PVE.

Multi-Stakeholder Workshop

As part of its commitment to fostering collaboration, UNICRI will organize a workshop in Rome, bringing together Italian and Mauritanian national authorities, civil society representatives, and religious leaders to discuss WPS-related policies and initiatives. This event will serve as a platform to:
•    Present key findings from the mapping.
•    Exchange good practices and experiences on gender-responsive approaches to PVE.
•    Discuss challenges, needs, and opportunities for strengthening cooperation on WPS.
•    Formulate policy recommendations and outline guidelines for future collaboration.

Report and Policy Recommendations

Following stakeholder consultations and the final event, UNICRI will develop a report outlining policy recommendations for strengthening cooperation with Mauritania in the context of WPS. This document will serve as a strategic guide in advancing gender-responsive peace and security efforts in collaboration with Mauritanian counterparts.

Related News and Publications

This section will feature relevant articles, press releases, and news updates about the project's progress and activities. Stay tuned for more information as the project unfolds!