Morocco’s Parliament Launches Inaugural Forum on Gender Equality
Rabat, Morocco – November 22, 2024 – Morocco took a significant step towards achieving gender equality with the launch of its first annual Parliamentary Forum on Equality and Parity. Held under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the forum commenced on Friday at the House of Representatives in Rabat.
The inaugural session, themed “Parliament: A Key Lever for Achieving Equality and Parity,” was attended by prominent figures including the Speakers of both the House of Representatives and the House of Advisors, Rachid Talbi Alami and Enaam Mayara respectively. Several key government ministers were also present, including Nadia Fettah (Minister of Economy and Finance), Fatima Zahra Mansouri (Minister of National Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy), and Aawatif Hayar (Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family). Further emphasizing the importance of the event, Reza Chami, President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, and Moez Doraid, UN Women Regional Director for the Arab States, were also in attendance.
This forum aligns with the House of Representatives’ strategic commitment to implementing royal directives and constitutional provisions related to women’s rights. It also reflects the parliament’s broader engagement in national efforts to advance gender equality. The initiative underscores Morocco’s dedication to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focuses on gender equality and empowering all women and girls. Globally, women are underrepresented in political positions, holding only 26.5% of parliamentary seats worldwide (UN Women data, 2023). Forums like this are crucial for addressing this imbalance and promoting women’s leadership.
The forum aims to institutionalize parliamentary discussions on gender equality, fostering open dialogue between parliament and stakeholders. It provides a platform for sharing best practices and experiences in promoting equality and parity. Crucially, the forum seeks to identify both Morocco’s achievements and remaining challenges in this area. By proposing parliamentary solutions to accelerate progress, the forum contributes to achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This includes reviewing progress on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which Morocco ratified in 1993. CEDAW provides a framework for achieving equality between women and men by ensuring women’s full enjoyment of human rights.
The forum brought together members of the House of Representatives’ temporary thematic working group on equality and parity, Moroccan parliamentarians, representatives from international parliaments, civil society organizations, experts, researchers, and other interested parties. The diverse range of participants ensured a rich and multifaceted discussion.
Discussions centered around two key themes: “Empowering Women and Strengthening their Participation in Public Life” and “Social Public Policies and the Goal of Achieving Equality and Parity.” These themes reflect the multifaceted nature of gender equality, encompassing both political representation and broader societal issues. For example, while Morocco has made strides in women’s education, with female literacy rates rising, women still face significant barriers to economic participation, with lower labor force participation rates compared to men. Addressing these complex challenges requires a comprehensive approach, as highlighted by the forum’s focus areas.
By facilitating open dialogue and collaboration, the Moroccan Parliament’s inaugural Forum on Equality and Parity serves as a vital platform for driving meaningful progress towards a more equitable and inclusive society. It demonstrates a commitment to not only discussing gender equality but also to developing concrete solutions and accelerating the pace of change. The forum’s outcomes will be instrumental in shaping future policies and initiatives aimed at empowering women and achieving true gender parity in Morocco.
