Latest news with #BenYahya
Morocco World
12-05-2025
- Health
- Morocco World
Violence, Lack of Resources Among Top Challenges for Moroccan Child Welfare
Rabat – Despite national efforts to protect children, Morocco still faces major challenges that require stronger cooperation and a more unified approach, said Minister of Solidarity, Social Inclusion, and Family, Naïma Ben Yahya, during a national meeting on child protection held Monday in Sale. Speaking at the opening of the event, titled 'Child Protection: Local Implementation and Quality of Services,' and organized with support from UNICEF, the minister said that challenges remain in many areas. These include improving prevention programs, better coordination among services, and making sure local actors take full responsibility in carrying out the national child protection plan. Ben Yahya also pointed to issues related to limited human and financial resources, the need to strengthen civil society's role, and the importance of creating an integrated digital system to track children under protection. She noted the growing threat of violence against children, especially online abuse, and said there is a pressing need for more research and data on children's issues. To address these problems, especially those faced by institutions caring for children in vulnerable situations, the minister announced that the government is working on a plan to establish a National Agency for Children in Need of Protection. This new agency would improve institutional support and ensure better governance and quality services for children. Morocco ranked 54th out of 194 countries worldwide in the 2024 Kids Rights Index, with a score of 0.776, placing it second among Maghreb countries, just behind Tunisia. The index evaluates countries based on their commitment to children's rights across five core areas: life, health, education, protection, and enabling environment. When climate change considerations are included as a sixth experimental domain, Morocco's ranking drops to 73rd with a score of 0.65. Tags: child protectionchildren
Morocco World
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco Outlines Strategy Against Cyber Violence at Arab Women's Conference in Cairo
Rabat – Morocco's Minister of Solidarity, Naima Ben Yahya, shared her country's evolving response to digital violence against women during the opening session of the 10th General Conference of the Arab Women Organization in Cairo on Monday. With a focus on legal reforms, awareness efforts, and digital support tools, Ben Yahya noted Morocco's commitment to safeguarding women and girls in a digital age that continues to present new threats. The conference brought together policymakers, civil society leaders, and digital rights experts from across the Arab region. Morocco's delegation took an active role in the discussions, which explored challenges and practical solutions to online gender-based violence. In her remarks, Ben Yahya described Morocco's multi-layered approach, which includes strategic legislation, most notably, the 2018 law to combat violence against women. Although the law does not explicitly refer to cyber violence, it addresses the emotional and psychological harm caused by digital abuse. The minister also pointed to Morocco's data protection law as a crucial part of the legal framework. It safeguards citizens' personal information and helps curb misuse on digital platforms. But even with these protections in place, she acknowledged that the issue remains difficult to tackle. Another major obstacle, according to Ben Yahya, is a lack of legal knowledge among women. Many do not know how or where to report cyber violence. Others hesitate due to societal pressure or fear of stigma. In many cases, victims are made to feel responsible for what happened to them, which reflects a larger problem at hand. One rooted in persistent stereotypes and a culture that still tolerates certain forms of abuse. In partnership with civil society and government bodies, the Ministry of Solidarity launched national campaigns such as 'together for a responsible and safe digital space for women and girls.' Morocco has also developed online platforms that guide and support women who face all types of violence, including cyber abuse. These platforms connect users to legal and psychological assistance, offer educational material, and create space for anonymous reporting. Over the two-day conference, 26 experts from various Arab countries presented research and case studies, examined how AI affects women's digital safety , and discussed how legislation can better adapt to emerging forms of online harm and harassment. The Arab Women Organization also announced the 2025 edition of its Arab Girl and Technology Award and launched a new guide on how to prepare national reports for the regional CEDAW committee. The conference will close with a symbolic transition of leadership as the presidency of the Arab Women Organization passes from Egypt to Morocco, signaling the country's growing role in shaping the region's digital and gender justice agenda. And yet, despite the summits, the panels, the growing body of laws and strategies, many women cannot shake a sense of helplessness in the face of their treacherous everyday realities. In a world still shaped by male dominance, online and offline, words often feel weightless. Is this enough? Will the time for real, irreversible change ever arrive? As conversations grow louder, the need for tangible, material solutions becomes more urgent. Until then, many remain unconvinced that the promises made in conference halls will reach the corners where women continue to suffer in silence.
Morocco World
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Moroccan Government Plans Support Program to Encourage Marriage Among Youth
Rabat – The Moroccan government has announced a new plan to support young people who are hesitant to get married. Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family, Naima Ben Yahya, announced the initiative during a meeting of the Social Sectors Committee in the House of Representatives, where the impact of the latest national census on Moroccan families was discussed. Ben Yahya said that Morocco is facing a serious demographic shift, which she described as a 'reversal' that threatens the family structure and society. She noted the need for urgent government intervention to address the issue. According to the Minister, the Ministry of Solidarity is preparing a new program to support people who are planning to get married. This comes in response to major socio-demographic changes, including a growing elderly population and a shrinking youth population, she said. 'The family structure is at risk,' she said, adding that there is no clear national policy to support families. 'We cannot be at ease while we witness the decline of the family's role,' she stated, explaining that in Moroccan society, the family is not just a place for raising children but a foundation of social stability. She mentioned values such as respect for parents and shared responsibilities between spouses. As part of the government's broader efforts, Ben Yahya also announced plans to reduce the number of social care institutions, especially shelters for abused women and elderly people, a statement many found disturbing. She claimed the correlation that the high number of these institutions indicates past failures in addressing family-related issues such as divorce and domestic violence. The minister referred to results from the national population and housing census conducted in September 2024. The data shows that the average Moroccan household size has dropped from 4.6 people in 2014 to 3.9 people in 2024. This decline was seen in both urban and rural areas. Based on these findings, the ministry is working on a national family policy, starting with a field study in five regions. The goal is to create a strategy that meets citizens' needs and strengthens the family unit. Ben Yahya also warned of the economic consequences of the demographic shift. Families are facing increased financial pressure due to smaller household sizes and a growing number of elderly people needing care. She added that birth rates are falling and younger generations are not being replaced, which could lead to a decline in the working-age population. At the same time, extended family members are contributing less financially, which increases the costs of education, health care, and housing for nuclear families. The minister also noted the high unemployment rates, especially among youth and women, saying that economic insecurity is a key factor in delaying marriage and forming new families. Tags: familyMarriageMorocco
