News

Promoting gender equality: a priority for EU cooperation in Morocco

09-03-2012

The promotion and the protection of women’s rights are an EU priority in its bilateral relations with Morocco, identified in the roadmap of the advanced status between the two parties, according to a press release issued by the EU Delegation in Morocco yesterday on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Gender inequality at the political, economic and social levels is still prevalent in most countries around the world, the press release said, with women suffering disproportionately from poverty and its consequences such as malnutrition, poor health and illiteracy.

 
“The European Union makes of gender equality one of its priorities,” said Ambassador Eneko Landaburu, the head of the EU Delegation. “There are many challenges and much remains to be done to tackle gender inequality. A democratic and modern society cannot pretend it moves forward without acknowledging the fundamental rights of each individual, no matter his or her gender.”
 
The press release said the European Union welcomed the fact that Morocco had included into article 19 of the new constitution gender equality in civil, political, economic and social rights. As Morocco’s privileged partner, the European Union will fully support any significant progress in this field, for the achievement of these constitutional rights.
 
In its cooperation with the Moroccan government, the EU supports the horizontal promotion of gender equality in all its programmes such as those related to health, education and elimination of illiteracy. It aims at continuing its support to the reforms implemented by the Moroccan government within the government’s agenda for equality.
 
The European Union also supports many projects with Moroccan civil society that deal with women’s rights.
 
To mark International Women’s Day, the ENPI Info Centre has put together a package of materials and resources to highlight cooperation between the EU and its southern neighbours in the field of gender equality, including a brand new feature story, a specially produced video, and a press pack. (ENPI Info Centre)
 
Read more
 
Press release (in French)
 
EU delegation – Morocco
 
ENPI Info Centre resources – women’s day 2012
 
EuropeAid fact sheet – International Women's Day 2012
 
ENPI Info Centre webpage – Morocco
 

 

 


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