Morocco Reaffirms Its Commitment to Women’s Economic Empowerment at the UN
During a meeting held in New York as part of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), Morocco’s Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family, Naïma Ben Yahia, highlighted Morocco’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment. This event, organized in collaboration with Saudi Arabia and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is part of international efforts to promote gender equality and inclusive socioeconomic development.
In her speech, the minister emphasized the major reforms undertaken by Morocco over the past two decades to ensure gender equality and strengthen the role of women in society. She recalled the key role of King Mohammed VI in this process, particularly through the 2011 Constitution, which enshrines the principle of parity and equal rights in all areas. These legislative advances have been accompanied by concrete programs aimed at facilitating women’s professional and entrepreneurial integration.
In this regard, Ben Yahia highlighted the national program for women’s leadership and empowerment, which facilitates their access to the labor market and strengthens their entrepreneurial skills. She also emphasized the impact of the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), which supports women’s projects in the agricultural and industrial sectors while promoting literacy and training. These efforts have contributed to increasing Moroccan women’s financial independence and enhancing their contribution to the national economy.
Morocco’s initiatives were praised by several international actors present at the meeting. Mireille Sander, UNFPA representative, commended the country for its commitment to women’s socioeconomic inclusion, while Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon, representative of the International Labour Organization (ILO), highlighted the progress made in employment and the protection of women’s labor rights. Meanwhile, Latifa Cherif, head of the Moroccan parliamentary delegation, reiterated the Parliament’s role in implementing Morocco’s international commitments to gender equality.
On the sidelines of this event, the Moroccan minister participated in several meetings and roundtables on accelerating women’s empowerment, social protection, and the specific challenges facing women’s rights in the Arab region. These exchanges have helped strengthen cooperation between Morocco and various international partners, reaffirming the Kingdom’s determination to continue working towards effective and lasting gender equality.