Assahafa.com
Morocco’s Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family, Naïma Ben Yahia, chaired an event in New York on Tuesday focusing on access to justice for women victims of violence and its importance in strengthening their rights and their participation in development.
Organized by the Ministry in partnership with the National Union of Women of Morocco and in cooperation with UN Women and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), this meeting was held within the framework of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), currently held at UN Headquarters until March 19.
The event is aimed at highlighting the significant progress made by Morocco in its efforts to guarantee and strengthen women’s and girls’ access to justice. This also involves mobilizing support to establish a high-level platform dedicated to dialogue and the exchange of experiences and best practices, with the aim of contributing to national and international efforts to strengthen access to justice for women victims of violence and guarantee their full participation in socio-economic development processes.
Speaking on this occasion, Naïma Ben Yahia emphasized that Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, has consistently strengthened its commitment to the international movement to combat violence against women. She noted that this commitment is exemplified by the implementation of a comprehensive and inclusive national model based on a holistic and integrated approach that combines human rights and development.
She pointed out that Morocco’s efforts are part of a gradual and integrated reform process that has strengthened the legislative framework and developed institutional structures, in accordance with the Kingdom’s constitutional and international commitments regarding women’s rights.
She further noted that this reform dynamic demonstrates a firm commitment to improving the system of protection and equity. These measures have notably cemented legal guarantees, broadened the scope of protection, and established institutional mechanisms capable of addressing the specificities of cases of violence against women, she argued, adding that Morocco’s holistic strategy is based on prevention, protection, support, and empowerment.
Among the multifaceted aspects of the progress made by Morocco in this area, the Minister cited Law No. 103.13 on combating violence against women, noting that this legislation, which marks a revolution in the Moroccan legal framework, paved the way for the creation of specialized units serving women, particularly within courts of first instance, courts of appeal, public hospitals, and the services of La Gendarmerie Royale and la Sureté Nationale. She also mentioned the creation of the “Aman Lik” digital platform, which facilitates women’s access to support services and ensures a rapid and effective response to reported cases.
She concluded by emphasizing that Morocco, in line with the Royal Directives, remains committed to pursuing its national efforts and strengthening its international commitment to guaranteeing effective and equitable access to justice for women victims of violence, preserving their dignity, and promoting their contribution to sustainable and inclusive development.
For her part, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous highlighted Morocco’s ongoing political commitment to promoting gender equality, both nationally and regionally.
In a statement read on her behalf by Moaz Doraid, Director of the Management and Administration Division at UN Women, the UN official also commended the central role played by the National Union of Women of Morocco, under the Presidency of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, in strengthening societal engagement, promoting women’s rights, and implementing related national commitments at the local level.
Thanks to the reforms undertaken in this area, Morocco is in a position to share its experience with other countries, especially since the Kingdom stands out as a respected partner, particularly in Africa, the Arab world, and the Francophone community, Ms. Bahous underlined during this meeting moderated by Amina Oufroukhi, Vice-President of the National Union of Women of Morocco.
In turn, Fadia Kiwann, Director General of the Arab Women’s Organization, highlighted the significant progress made by Morocco in promoting women’s rights, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, adding that the Kingdom is setting a model to follow in the Arab world and beyond.
Among those who participated in the event were Mohammed Dardouri, Wali and National Coordinator of the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), and Latifa Akharbach, President of the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA), member of the Board of Directors of the National Union of Women of Morocco.
Najwa Koukouss, Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Thematic Working Group on Equality and Parity in Morocco’s House of Representatives; Ouafae Zouidi, Head of the International Judicial Cooperation and Human Rights Unit at the Public Prosecutor’s Office; and Francess Alghali, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Government of Sierra Leone also took part in the event.
Source: map
