This initiative is part of a series of awareness campaigns on maternal and child health, organized by the provincial human development committee (CPDH) of the M’diq-Fnideq prefecture, in partnership with the regional association of the National Union of Women of Morocco (UNFM) of M’diq-Fnideq, the provincial delegation of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and civil society associations at the level of the commune of Al Allyene.
Placed under the theme “Basis of today’s society and tomorrow’s capital”, this campaign, which is part of the 3rd phase of the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), in particular the program “Improving the human capital of rising generations” aims to facilitate mothers and children’s access to health services, to offer them basic knowledge to care for infants and children, while raising women’s awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and a healthy diet.
This awareness-raising action, during which hygiene products and paramedical supplies were distributed to participants, was an opportunity to highlight the contribution of the INDH to improving the living conditions of rural women. , thus constituting an essential element of integrated strategies to achieve sustainable development, which is closely linked to territorial justice, as well as recalling the commitments of the INDH and its partners in favor of strengthening the role of rural women in various areas .
In this regard, the representative of the regional association of the UNFM of M’diq-Fnideq, Manal Bouanani, stressed that the INDH, in partnership with the association and the provincial delegation of the Ministry of Health and social protection, organizes an awareness campaign for the benefit of rural women who have recently given birth and are breastfeeding, in celebration of the International Day of Rural Women and as part of the implementation of the association’s program.
In a statement to MAP, Ms. Bouanani noted that the association is interested in all women, in particular rural women, particularly with regard to their health and that of their children, by ensuring the promotion of their economic empowerment and their integration into the social and solidarity economy, entrepreneurship, vocational training and other programs dedicated to improving the situation of rural women.
For her part, Souhaila El Amrani, midwife of the UNFM regional association in M’diq, highlighted the importance of awareness campaigns for rural women on the benefits of breastfeeding and its effects, both physical and psychological, on the mother and child.
“It is essential to breastfeed during the first six months, which helps strengthen the child’s immunity and meet their essential needs during the first years,” she said.
According to data from the CPDH of the M’diq-Fnideq prefecture, the INDH enabled, as part of its second program relating to the support of people in precarious situations, six young rural girls to benefit from the services of integration centers for people with disabilities in M’diq and Fnideq, while 55 rural women and girls with disabilities benefited from the social services of two projects falling within the framework of this program.
For the third “Improvement of income and economic inclusion of young people” program, which aims to increase the employability of young people, develop the labor market and guarantee the sustainability of projects, 11 projects were carried out in in favor of rural women, in addition to the approval of the financing of two women’s cooperatives in the sector of rural tourism and the manufacturing of cosmetic products.
As part of the fourth program relating to “boosting the human capital of rising generations”, aimed at improving the living conditions of rural women and girls, 142 mothers, including 44 breastfeeding, benefited from awareness workshops in Al Allyene, with the distribution of 75 health kits for mothers and infants, as part of a partnership between the INDH, the provincial delegation of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and the regional association of the UNFM at the prefecture of M’diq-fnideq
In addition, 46 mothers, including 26 breastfeeding, participated in awareness workshops in the commune of Belyounech, which were marked by the distribution of 51 kits of hygiene products and paramedical supplies intended to improve the health of the mother and infants, while 885 girls benefited from preschool education in rural areas, and 26 positions were created for young rural girls as educators in these units between 2019 and 2024.
It should be noted that the INDH is committed, as part of its innovative and practical approach focused on concrete results, to participating in efforts aimed at improving the various indicators relating to maternal and child health.