In line with the High Royal Guidelines, successive governments have put in place policies and programs focused on promoting the status of women in all areas, underlined the Minister during a general debate held within the framework of the 66th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW66).
These programs seek to enshrine gender equality and secure access to social protection and sustainable development opportunities for all Moroccans while giving particular importance to women in precarious situation, particularly in rural areas, she pointed out.
She recalled, in this regard, that the 2011 Constitution emphasized the principles of the State based on justice, equity, equal opportunities for men and women and participation in sustainable development, adding that under the Constitution, the Authority for Parity and the Fight against All Forms of Discrimination has been set up, as well as the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE).
Morocco remains determined to continue to honor its international commitments in terms of promoting women’s rights through the ratification of UN conventions and instruments, in particular to eradicate all forms of discrimination and to identify the impact of climate change on women, she said.
Ms. Hayar also mentioned the “Marrakech 2020 Declaration to Combat Violence against Women” launched by HRH Princess Lalla Meryem, with the aim of developing a system of care for women victims of violence.
Regarding the political empowerment of women in the Kingdom, she reported a strengthening of the representation of women during the triple election of September 2021.
At the end of these elections, the share of women ministers increased from 16.7% in 2019 to 24% in 2021, while at the level of the territorial councils, it stood at 35.6% in 2021 agaisnt 4.47% in 2015, she said, noting that the highest rate was recorded in the southern provinces of the Kingdom.
Women chair the councils of three of the largest cities in Morocco, namely Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech, she noted.
Referring to Morocco’s efforts in the area of sustainable development, the minister said that the Kingdom has adopted a dedicated National Charter while developing a strategic plan for adaptation to climate change (2020-2030).
She recalled, in this regard, the creation of the Mohammed VI Foundation for the protection of the environment under the effective presidency of HRH Princess Lalla Hasnaa, noting that this Foundation has set itself the objectives of raising awareness on the importance of environment.
Regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the minister recalled the strategic projects launched by Morocco, including “Green Generation” 2020-2030, the National Strategy for Natural Disaster Risk Management, the National Program for the Supply of drinking water and irrigation for the period 2020-2027 in addition to the megaprojects for seawater desalination.
A clean technology innovation program was also launched, in partnership with the Global Environment Facility and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Ms. Hayar also said that the Moroccan government has set as a priority the consolidation of the foundations of the social State and the increase in the rate of economic activity of women from 20% to 30% by 2026.
Held in hybrid format under the theme “Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes”, the CSW66 session (14-25 March) focuses on the ways to promote gender equality through holistic and integrated actions at local and global levels, as well as on the exchange of good practices to increase women’s participation in decision-making.
Source: Agency Morocaine De Presse