Speech by the Ministerial Delegate in charge of Human Rights On the occasion of the Second Annual Parliamentary Forum on Equality and Equity Under the slogan: “Political Empowerment of Women: A Key Lever for Achieving Development”
Mr. President of the House of Representatives;Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication;
Chair of the Temporary Working Group on Equality and Equity;
Ombudsman of the Kingdom;
President of the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication;
Resident Representative of the UNDP in Morocco;
Representative of UN Women in Morocco;
Ladies and Gentlemen representing women’s political organizations;
Ladies and Gentlemen representing civil human rights organizations;
Experts and researchers;
Honorable Members of Parliament;
Distinguished guests, each in his or her name and capacity;
I am honored to participate in the Second Parliamentary Forum on Equality and Equity, organized by the House of Representatives, a constitutional institution playing a central role in consolidating democracy and reinforcing the rule of law, under the High Patronage of His Majesty the King.
I express my sincere appreciation to the House of Representatives for choosing the theme “Political Empowerment of Women: A Key Lever for Development”, reflecting advanced parliamentary awareness of the centrality of equality and equity in our democratic and developmental project at national and international levels. My thanks also go to the President of the House, Mr. Rachid Talbi Alami, for inviting me to this event.
Discussing women’s political empowerment in this esteemed forum is not about a particular social group, but about the essence of representative democracy, the quality of public decision-making, and the fair distribution of power in society, with the engagement of all its components in progress and development. Women’s participation in decision-making positions is a key indicator of democratic maturity and political governance effectiveness.
Morocco has made significant strides thanks to the political will of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and accumulated constitutional and legislative reforms, covering family law and women’s constitutional status, opening up opportunities and granting women their rightful place.
In his speech on July 30, 2022, on the occasion of the 63rd Throne Day, His Majesty said:
"Building a Morocco of progress and dignity cannot succeed without the participation of all Moroccans, men and women, in development. It is essential to ensure the full participation of women in all areas."
The 2011 Constitution established equality between men and women and explicitly pursued parity, creating a specialized body for this purpose. Electoral laws and incentives have increased women’s representation in Parliament and local governments, an important institutional achievement.
Political empowerment is not limited to numerical presence but includes active participation in public decision-making, influencing policies, and contributing to strategic national choices. True empowerment is women’s access to leadership positions and full exercise of responsibilities. Parity and equality are pillars of good democratic governance.
Challenges remain regarding women in political parties, access to senior positions, and persistent cultural barriers. Focus should be on political and leadership training, reinforcing parity mechanisms in parties and elections, and integrating gender perspectives in legislative and oversight work.
The forum aims to translate diagnosis into action plans, focusing on: training and qualification, strengthening parity mechanisms in parties and elections, and horizontal integration of gender perspectives in parliamentary legislative and oversight work.
Women’s political empowerment is key for a more inclusive democracy, fairer development, and cohesive society. The House of Representatives plays a central role in turning constitutional principles of equality into legislative and institutional reality.
The Ministry Delegate for Human Rights contributes by advocating internationally and monitoring recommendations implementation, including women’s political empowerment. It will strengthen capacities of stakeholders to develop and implement effective programs and action plans.
Finally, achieving equality and parity is a national collective project shared by constitutional institutions, political parties, civil society, media, and all public actors.
Thank you for your attention.
Peace and greetings.