Morocco hails first female district officers

27/07/2008

Until recently, women were barred from attending Morocco's elite training academy for district officers. The graduation of the country's first female caids last week is seen as a milestone for equal rights.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 27/07/08

[Sarah Touahri] Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa praised the performance of Morocco's first class of female caids.

In what is being called a landmark event for gender equality in Morocco, the Royal Institute for Regional Government has granted training course diplomas to women for the first time since its founding in 1965. The 43rd cohort of new caids (district officers) who graduated Monday (July 21st) includes 19 women out of a total of 107.

According to teachers at the institute, which provides theoretical, military and on-the-job training, the first female caids have dazzled with their ability. One – Loubna Faez – obtained the highest mark in her year and will now be promoted directly to the post of District Chief.

"Women have shown that they’re just as capable as men of running all aspects of national affairs. This first cohort of female district officers is something Morocco should be very proud of," Faez commented.

Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa chaired last week's ceremony in Kenitra and praised the performance of the female graduates. He also noted that a woman "came first in her year".

The first group of female district officers in more than four decades strengthens the programme and helps build "a modern democratic society to ensure equality between man and woman", the minister said.

"By taking this step based on the values of fairness and equal opportunity, the main foundations of building modern Morocco, the Interior Ministry is determined to move forward on this path to... integrate the female element into the areas of authority and give them the opportunity to assume positions of responsibility," he added.

Women's organisations and NGOs have welcomed the move to bring equality for women. Initiatives of this kind mean that women are finally making their presence felt, noted Samira Bandouri of Together for Development.

"We've been waiting a long time for decision-makers to apply the principle of equal opportunities in all areas. Over the last few years women have finally been given a chance to show what they can do," she said.

Access for women to positions of responsibility demonstrates how Moroccan society has undergone a total transformation, said social science professor Miloud Boussafi: "Women now have a say in family matters. Traditions are changing little by little."

"The appointment of women to key posts has given Moroccan women a huge confidence boost," he added.

Morocco must follow the lead of developed countries with regard to sexual equality, argues political science professor Mohamed Bendahmane. "A true democracy can only be created through effective participation by women occupying positions of responsibility. Officials have realised this over the last few years, and so now more women hold important posts," he told Magharebia.

The lower chamber of parliament now has 34 female members out of 325 under a quota system guaranteeing a minimum proportion of 10%. The current government has seven female ministers.