Latest news with #NaimaBenYahia
Morocco World
21-03-2025
- Morocco World
Moroccans Demand Justice for Victims in Kiko School Rape Scandal
Rabat – Authorities in the Kiko commune near Fez have launched an extensive investigation following reports of sexual abuse involving several schoolgirls. The case has shocked the community and Moroccans across the country are demanding justice for the victims. The case reportedly began when one of the victims attempted suicide after being threatened with the release of a video recorded by a friend. According to converging reports, the abuse occurred in two different schools in the Kiko area. The investigation revealed that a network of perpetrators, including individuals identified as a bouncer, a farmer, and a hairdresser, were responsible for exploiting the underage girls. The incident came to light after the victim's family filed a complaint following the suicide attempt and threats of publishing a compromising video. Authorities have since arrested several suspects and are interrogating them, with more arrests expected as investigations continue. Human rights groups have called for immediate legal action and psychological support for the victims. In addition, several Moroccans took to social media to express their shock over the incident, as well as call for urgent measures to protect and support the victims and their families. Others have called for stricter penalties for the perpetrators to prevent the recurrence of such crimes. Many have pointed to the lenient sentences handed down in similar cases, such as the Tiflet rape case , in which an 11-year-old girl was gang-raped by three men, one of whom impregnated her. Despite the gravity of the crime, the perpetrators were sentenced to only two years each. In addition, Member of Parliament Mohamed Chouki from the National Rally of Independents submitted a written question to Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family, Naima Ben Yahia, regarding the case. Chouki warned that the abuse has left a deep psychological impact on the community and urged the ministry to ensure that the affected schoolgirls receive prompt legal and psychological assistance.
Morocco World
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco Recalls Efforts to Improve Women's Economic Empowerment at UN Forum
Rabat – Morocco's Minister of Solidarity, Naima Ben Yahia, led a discussion at the United Nations in New York on women's economic empowerment and their role in development. Organized with Saudi Arabia and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the event took place during the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69). Ben Yahia outlined Morocco's efforts over the past two decades to advance gender equality through legislative and social reforms. She also recalled the role of the 2011 constitution in ensuring equal rights and underlined state programs that work on expanding social protection and promoting women's access to employment and entrepreneurship. The minister also touted the National Initiative for Human´s (INDH) role in supporting income-generating projects and vocational training. UNFPA representative Mireille Sander commended Morocco's work in advancing women's inclusion, while Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon of the International Labour Organization (ILO) acknowledged progress in promoting decent work for women. Moroccan lawmaker Latifa Cherif noted Parliament's role in gender parity efforts, referencing legislative initiatives on equality and protections against violence. The event gathered high-level participants, including Senegalese Minister Maimouna Dieye, Saudi Shura Council member Al Jawhara Bint Fahd Al Saud, and representatives from UN agencies and international organizations. Ben Yahia also participated in ministerial meetings on social protection and gender equality in the Arab world, holding talks with UN officials and government representatives, including CEDAW Chair Nahla Haydar and British Minister for Equality Seema Malhotra. Morocco has been working to improve women's rights, mostly via legal reforms and social initiatives. The Family Code (Moudawana), amended in 2004, granted women better rights in marriage, divorce, and child custody, but gaps persist in areas like inheritance, guardianship, and legal enforcement. The government has launched a new effort to revise the Moudawana to further strengthen women's rights and address lingering inequalities. While progress is evident in education, political representation, and economic inclusion, challenges remain, including disparities in labor force participation, persistent social norms, and difficulties in accessing justice for women facing discrimination or violence.
Morocco World
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco Shares Efforts to Advance Gender Equality at UN Forum
Rabat – Minister of Solidarity Naima Ben Yahia shared Morocco's approach to promoting gender equality and bolstering women's rights during a ministerial roundtable in New York. The discussion took place as part of the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which focuses this year on progress since the 1995 Beijing Declaration. Ben Yahia noted Morocco's creation of the Authority for Parity and the Fight Against All Forms of Discrimination (APALD), an independent institution that advises the government and parliament on gender equality policies. The mission of this organization, she says, is to ensure that equality remains a core value in education, training, media, and culture. The authority also tracks discrimination against women and supports institutions in the public and private sectors to adopt fairer policies. Ben Yahia pointed to her ministry's central role in coordinating legislation and public policies related to gender equality, always developing government action plans to address gender gaps and challenge stereotypes that limit opportunities for women and girls. To consolidate oversight, Morocco has set up a national committee for gender equality and women's empowerment. Chaired by the head of government, the committee brings together representatives from civil society, the private sector, and national institutions. The UN Commission's discussions this year revolve around the commitments outlined in the Beijing Declaration, which set priorities in twelve key areas such as poverty, education, health, violence, economic inclusion, and political representation. Countries also assess the challenges that continue to stand in the way of full gender equality and explore ways to accelerate progress toward the UN's 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Morocco has taken gradual steps to address women's rights, with legal reforms and institutional mechanisms designed to create lasting change. Efforts to promote gender equality have gained traction, but gaps remain. The reality for many Moroccan women still falls short of the vision outlined in policies and strategies. Legal protections do not always translate into real improvements in daily life, and cultural and economic barriers continue to slow progress. While there is clear political will to advance women's rights, the path forward remains uneven. This challenge is not unique to Morocco. The global conversation on gender equality has been ongoing for decades, yet solutions often remain theoretical. Governments and international organizations announce policies and frameworks, but real, transformative change remains elusive. Women around the world continue to face systemic barriers, and progress, when it happens, moves at a pace far slower than expected. The gap between commitments and concrete action tells the limitations of current approaches, leaving many to question whether the world is truly ready to address gender inequality in a way that brings about lasting change.
Morocco World
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco Takes Part in UN Session on Women's Rights in New York, Promotes Gender Equality
Rabat – Morocco is participating in the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), which kicked off on Monday in New York. Minister of Solidarity, Naima Ben Yahia, is leading the Moroccan delegation, which includes officials from national institutions, government departments, and civil society organizations. Morocco's Permanent Representative to the UN, Omar Hilale, is also present. Discussions will continue until March 21, with focus on the progress made in advancing women's rights under the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The sessions also strive to address challenges that hinder gender equality and women's empowerment, while assessing the role of these commitments in the UN's 2030 development agenda. Created in 1946, the Commission on the Status of Women serves as the main global forum for shaping policies that promote gender equality. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, where 189 governments adopted the Beijing Declaration in 1995. The declaration outlines commitments in 12 key areas, such as education, economic participation, healthcare, human rights, and decision-making power. Morocco will host a side event on Wednesday, led by Minister Ben Yahia, under the theme 'Women's Economic Empowerment and Their Contributions to Socio-Economic Development.' Officials from the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) and the High Commission for Planning (HCP) will take part in sharing insights on Morocco's experience in boosting women's role in the economy. Over decades, international forums have echoed calls for gender equality, with multiple governments and institutions reaffirming their commitments. Yet, these efforts remain out of sync with the daily struggles women face. Nonetheless, real change remains slow, and women around the world continue to face barriers in economic participation, political empowerment, and legal protection. A recent report by UN Women revealed that nearly one in four governments worldwide reported a backlash against women's rights in 2024. The persistence of these hurdles raises questions about the effectiveness of global initiatives and the gap between policy commitments, tangible progress, and women's realities everywhere. Tags: CSW69Gender Equalitygender equality in MoroccoUN women
