From tradition to resilience: Vatimetou’s small business strengthens her household and inspires others
From tradition to resilience: Vatimetou’s small business strengthens her household and inspires others
From tradition to resilience:
Vatimetou’s small business strengthens her household and inspires others
Location
Hodh Ech Chargui, Mauritania
Focus
Livelihood
IMplemented by
ECODEV
Through the SELAM programme, implemented by ECODEV, targeted livelihood support enabled Vatimetou Sidibé in Amourj, Hodh Ech Chargui, to strengthen her tichtar production, improve market access, and build a more sustainable source of income, contributing to women’s empowerment and community resilience.
Vatimetou Sidibé is 46 years old and lives in the commune of Amourj in Hodh Ech Chargui. For years, she relied on a traditional activity she knew well: producing tichtar (dried meat).
But her ability to grow this livelihood was constrained by limited equipment, difficulties accessing markets, and small-scale production methods. Like many women in remote areas, these barriers also increased her vulnerability to economic shocks—one of the risk factors that can heighten exposure to violent extremist narratives.
Through the SELAM programme implemented by ECODEV, Vatimetou was selected to receive support for agropastoral livelihoods, including equipment and start-up capital to strengthen her micro-initiative. With these resources, she improved her processing techniques, upgraded the quality of her products, and began selling more consistently to a broader client base.
As her business stabilised, Vatimetou’s income became more reliable and her confidence grew. She also began sharing her skills with other women in her community, encouraging initiative and demonstrating that with targeted support, a small traditional activity can become a sustainable source of livelihood. This progress contributes to PVE goals by reducing economic vulnerability and strengthening community resilience helping households withstand shocks and reinforcing positive social roles for women as contributors to local stability.
With this support, I was able to improve my production and reach new clients. Today, I can rely on my work, and I also encourage other women to take initiative.”
— Vatimetou Sidibé, Amourj (ECODEV’s programme participant)