Moroccan Observatory created to integrate women into political life

28/04/2006

With the 2007 electoral entitlements approaching, the question of Moroccan women's participation in political life has returned to the forefront of societal concerns. In this context, a group of political and civil society authorities created the "Moroccan Observatory for the integration of woman into political life," on Saturday (22 April) in Casablanca.

By Mawassi Lahcen for Magharebia, in Casablanca – 28/04/06

[File] Raoudi during a 22 April press conference

In order to fight all forms of discrimination against women, the Moroccan Observatory will aim to supervise the development of the political stance of Moroccan women and their level of participation in political life; as well as analyse why women have been reluctant to engage in political activity. Other tasks include identifying and exposing obstacles and deterrents to the political emancipation of Moroccan women and their access to decision-making positions.

The Observatory will publish periodic studies and reports. "Our aim is to become an authoritative documentation centre, whether it is in regard to political life in Morocco in general or the question of Moroccan women's integration, and especially to strengthen women's position in the political field," said Mohammed Raoudi, president of the preparatory commission for the creation of the Observatory. He also added that the Observatory would pay special attention to the circumstances of women in desert areas and the suburbs and outskirts of big cities.

A number of political authorities from different parties of the Moroccan political spectrum will be among the Observatory's participating bodies. They represent the moderate Islamic Justice and Development Party, the Socialist Party and the liberal Constitutional Union Party.

The Observatory, however, will be independent of political parties, and insists that extending invitations to political parties would not weaken its adherence to provisions in its charter to "put political affiliations aside when they attend the Observatory's meeting and to uphold the aims drawn up and agreed upon in the Observatory's charter".

For its first initiative, the Observatory is planning to draw up a document containing its recommendations and proposals regarding the integration of women into political life. It will present the document to the Moroccan government and seek o have it incorporated into the National Initiative for Human Development.

Raoudi said that the document would soon be sent to the Moroccan prime minister as an open letter, published in the national press.