In his speech at the opening of the work of the first annual Parliamentary Forum for Equality and Parity, Mr. Ould Errachid indicated that the Kingdom has taken important steps in this process, recalling the message sent by HM the King to participants in the 2nd edition of the annual Summit of the “Women in Africa” initiative, held on September 27, 2018 in Marrakech, in which the Sovereign underlines that “Morocco is moving further on the path to equality between men and women: a purpose considered as a fundamental human right, a legal imperative and a socio-economic requirement”.
In this sense, he highlighted the role of the Moroccan Parliament, with its two Chambers, particularly in the implementation of the High Royal Guidelines, international charters, universal values and national legislation which stipulate gender equality without no discrimination, as well as supporting efforts to promote equality and parity.
And to note that the question of parity and gender equality, at the national level, is at the top of Parliament’s concerns, considering that it is not only a legislative purpose or a constitutional commitment to increase the number of seats and develop the representation of women in various positions, but rather linked to the pioneering role that Parliament should assume in order to enrich the national debate around issues related to the empowerment of women, consolidate and establish a culture of parity and effective equality, and equitable participation of both genders in the management of various aspects of private and public affairs.
To do this, Mr. Ould Errachid emphasizes the strengthening of legislative and institutional reforms and the adoption of supervised intervention policies, through an advanced legislative approach aimed at overcoming structural obstacles, and promoting effective participation. and influential women in various areas of political, economic and social life.
It is also, according to the President of the Chamber of Advisors, about promoting societal change through awareness-raising, putting an end to impunity and exploiting socialization channels to educate on the values of equality, justice and equity, and by stimulating a public debate framed by scientific knowledge of the related social phenomena.
In this regard, he added that this dynamic of growing reform that Morocco is experiencing in the area of promoting equality and parity is based on normative pillars and on values, in particular the provisions of the Constitution and the The Kingdom’s voluntary adherence to the international human rights system, as well as the strengthening of the responsibilities of national human rights institutions in the area of protection and grievances.
Likewise, Mr. Ould Errachid promotes progressive development towards the integration of the gender equality dimension into regional and local development programs and plans, in accordance with national dynamics, in line with the regionalization project. progress and the policy of administrative deconcentration.
In the process, the President of the House of Advisors observed that the different parties (government, parliament and non-governmental actors) are called upon to continue working according to an approach based on the capitalization of acquired knowledge and this, according to the provisions provided for. on the constitutional, legal or regulatory level, not as an objective in itself, but as a means capable of facilitating equal opportunities to access decision-making positions, of changing the well-anchored stereotype on the role of women and highlight their capabilities to drive the locomotive of expected change in all its institutional dimensions.
It should be noted that the organization of this forum is part of the strategy of the House of Representatives aimed at activating the Royal Directives and the constitutional and legal requirements linked to the promotion of the status of women, as well as within the framework of the the involvement of the Council with all its components. in the national effort to promote and advance women’s rights.
This Forum is part of the strategy of the House of Representatives for the implementation of the High Royal Guidelines and the constitutional and legal provisions relating to the promotion of women’s rights, and within the framework of the commitment of the Chamber and all of its components in the national effort to promote women’s rights.
It aims to institutionalize the parliamentary debate on equality and parity, to encourage public dialog between Parliament and all parties concerned, as well as to exchange experiences, know-how and best practices on equality. and parity.
The Forum highlights comparative experiences and best practices in matters of equality and parity, through two main axes relating to “The empowerment of women and the strengthening of their participation in public life” and “Public policies social: equality and parity as objectives”.
What are the key legislative reforms needed to promote gender equality in Morocco?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Gender Equality Expert
Editor: Good afternoon, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we are fortunate to have with us Dr. Amina Benkarim, a renowned expert on gender equality and human rights. Dr. Benkarim, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Benkarim: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Recently, Mr. Ould Errachid spoke at the first annual Parliamentary Forum for Equality and Parity in Morocco, emphasizing the kingdom’s commitment to gender equality. How significant are these steps, and what implications do they have for women in Morocco?
Dr. Benkarim: Mr. Ould Errachid’s speech is indeed a positive indication of Morocco’s commitment to advancing gender equality. His mention of the High Royal Guidelines and the importance of aligning them with both international charters and national legislation signals that there’s a strong legal framework being laid out to support these efforts. This reflects an understanding that gender equality is not just a moral issue but a socio-economic necessity for national development.
Editor: You mentioned the socio-economic necessity. In what ways can increased gender equality contribute to Morocco’s economic and social progress?
Dr. Benkarim: Gender equality could yield substantial economic benefits. More women in leadership roles and decision-making positions can lead to diverse perspectives, fostering innovative and sustainable solutions. Additionally, empowering women contributes to better health and education outcomes, not just for women, but for entire families. This is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and ultimately driving economic growth.
Editor: Mr. Ould Errachid also highlighted the role of Parliament in legislative reforms. In your opinion, how critical is legislative action in tackling the structural obstacles to gender equality?
Dr. Benkarim: Legislative reforms are crucial. They shape the societal norms and behaviors that govern personal and professional interactions. By enacting laws that promote equality and protect against discrimination, Parliament can create an environment where women feel safe to participate fully in all spheres of life—political, economic, and social. However, legislation alone isn’t enough; it must be accompanied by robust enforcement mechanisms.
Editor: The speech also spoke about promoting societal change and ending impunity. What strategies do you envision being effective in this respect?
Dr. Benkarim: Education and awareness-raising campaigns are vital. We need to target various demographics—schools, workplaces, and communities—to cultivate a culture of respect and equality. Additionally, establishing clear accountability mechanisms for both individuals and institutions can help deter discrimination and violence against women. Engaging men as allies in these efforts is also essential; they play a critical role in dismantling patriarchal structures.
Editor: There’s a mention of integrating gender equality within regional and local development programs. What does this mean practically for different sectors?
Dr. Benkarim: Integrating gender equality into development programs involves ensuring that women’s needs and perspectives are included in all planning phases. This applies to infrastructure, healthcare, education, and economic initiatives. For example, when developing a new infrastructure project, assessing how it might impact women differently than men can lead to more equitable outcomes. Moreover, local governments should allocate budgets specifically for gender-focused initiatives, creating tangible pathways toward equality.
Editor: there’s a need for collaboration among various stakeholders, such as the government, parliament, and NGOs. How should these entities work together to ensure progress towards gender parity?
Dr. Benkarim: Collaboration is key. Each party brings unique strengths to the table; the government can provide policy support, while NGOs can mobilize grassroots awareness and action. Creating a platform or network that allows for sharing successful strategies and best practices can foster greater synergy. Regular dialogues and joint initiatives can also help sustain momentum and keep gender parity at the forefront of national discussions.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Benkarim, for your valuable insights on this important subject. It’s clear that while Morocco has made commendable strides towards gender equality, continued effort and collaboration will be essential in overcoming the challenges that remain.
Dr. Benkarim: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to keep this conversation alive and drive our society toward equality and respect for all.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for joining us today. Stay tuned for more discussions on pressing issues impacting our society.