Speaking during the 3rd session on “Integrating the gender approach in the fight against terrorism and extremism” as part of the International Conference of Women Parliamentarians (June 26-27), Ms. Bouzandoufa stressed that this progress was made thanks to the consolidation of the principles of equality in treatment and equality of opportunity as constitutional values, coupled with a range of laws and reforms in particular the integrated public policy for equality and the strategies aimed at promoting women’s rights.
In this regard, she noted that the Moroccan legal framework constitutes a favorable platform for the promotion of gender equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex, reviewing the new features contained in the Basic Law of 2011 in the fight against all forms of discrimination and the strengthening of provisions relating to equality between the sexes.
Recalling the provisions of the family code which constitutes “a real turning point in the history of Moroccan legislation and a qualitative leap in efforts to promote the rights of women and children”, Ms. Bouzandoufa noted that in the concerned with strengthening the principle of equality enshrined in the Constitution, the Moroccan legislator continues to consolidate the presence of women in elected bodies, by developing provisions in the organic laws governing the electoral system to promote equality opportunities between the two sexes, the aim being to raise the level of their representativeness at the level of legislative institutions.
Regarding the status of women in political parties, and in an attempt to link the societal and political change that has affected women in Morocco, the parties were also interested in the policy aimed at encouraging women to access the political life, especially since they were well aware that the main responsibility for supporting women in parliament and parliamentary councils lies with political parties, which is explicitly stipulated in article 7 of the Moroccan Constitution, added the secretary of the House of Representatives.
Regarding the fight against violence against women, Morocco has strengthened its institutional and legal system with the adoption of Law 103.13 relating to the fight against violence against women in 2018, as well as as institutional mechanisms to care for women victims of violence, prevent all forms of violence and ensure the support, guidance and support necessary to access available services, she continued.
Morocco is actively engaged in the implementation of its international commitments, which are in line with its national strategies and are at the heart of Morocco’s development trajectory in various areas, she concluded. The agenda of the Conference includes several sessions focusing in particular on “the role of parliamentarians in the fight against terrorism and the prevention and fight against violent extremism”, “the integration of the gender dimension in the fight against terrorism and preventing and countering violent extremism” and “women’s participation and leadership in countering terrorism and preventing and countering violent extremism”.
Organized in cooperation between the Qatar Shura Council and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office in Doha, the Conference will produce important conclusions and recommendations regarding the role that women parliamentarians can play in the fight against terrorism and preventing violent extremism.