The Regional Directorate of National Mutual Aid in the Oriental region hosted a communication event in Oujda this Wednesday to promote women’s participation in public life. Held in partnership with the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences of Oujda (FSJESO), the meeting is part of a national awareness campaign launched by the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Insertion and the Family under the slogan, “Hand in hand, let’s participate in development.”
Why participation is a development priority
According to Hamid Khazri, Regional Director of National Mutual Aid, the campaign moves beyond traditional arguments of equity and rights. He stated that the initiative links female participation directly to a society’s capacity for inclusive and sustainable growth. Khazri noted that national and international experiences demonstrate that countries successfully mobilizing female energy in economic, social, and political spheres achieve higher levels of innovation and social cohesion.
Did You Know?
The 2024 General Census of Population and Housing (RGPH 2024) indicates that women constitute 50.1% of Morocco’s total population, yet their activity rate remains at 16.8%, compared to 47.6% for the overall active population.
The barriers to public engagement
The campaign aims to dismantle stereotypes that hinder women’s presence in decision-making centers. Idriss Driouchi, Dean of the FSJESO, emphasized that these demographic figures necessitate a serious re-evaluation of progress made since the 2011 Constitution and the implementation of the New Development Model. He stated that the university plays a crucial role in bridging this gap through education, awareness, and employment support.
Expert Insight:
The disparity between the percentage of women in the population and their official participation rate suggests a significant opportunity for economic growth. By focusing on “public life” as a broad spectrum—including volunteer work, local management, and knowledge production—the initiative attempts to shift the focus from merely filling quotas to integrating women into the structural foundations of the economy.
What happens next
Future efforts are likely to focus on the practical application of legislative frameworks. Mohamed Amarti, speaking for the Regional Human Rights Commission of the Oriental, stated that the real-world impact of existing laws is conditioned by a social and cultural environment that values dignity and equality. Observers expect that ongoing diagnostic efforts will continue to identify specific regional and cultural obstacles, as stakeholders attempt to move from legal guarantees to the effective exercise of rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of the campaign?
The campaign aims to deconstruct stereotypes associated with women and evolve the mentalities that currently hinder their participation in public life and decision-making centers.
How is “public life” defined in this context?
According to Hamid Khazri, it encompasses more than just political posts; it includes economic, social, and cultural initiatives, volunteer work, local governance, and the production of knowledge.
What is the current status of women’s economic activity in Morocco?
Data from the 2024 General Census of Population and Housing (RGPH 2024) shows that while women make up 50.1% of the population, their activity rate is 16.8%, compared to 47.6% for the total active population.
How might these regional dialogues change the way local communities support female leadership in the coming years?
