Morocco implements a social programme to reduce begging
2007-03-08
The Ministry of Social Development has launched a programme to reduce the number of beggars on the streets by reintegrating them into their families and helping them find work.
By Imane Belhaj for Magharebia in Casablanca – 08/03/07
 [Imane Belhaj] Approximately 15% of beggars under the age of seven are hired workers. |
Morocco’s Ministry of Social Development, Family and Solidarity is implementing a social programme to reduce the number of street beggars, which according to an unofficial study, is approximately half a million. The programme will encourage the assimilation of beggars into the country’s social fabric through family integration, institutional sponsorship and economic integration.
The programme calls for a "social approach" which requires the integration of beggars into their family sphere by helping them find work, helping them locate an institutional sponsor, and by creating legal consequences such as the arrest of beggars that return to the streets. A parallel approach involves raising public awareness of the need to discourage begging and to inform beggars of the options available to them.
"The phenomenon of begging is an epidemic that weakens Moroccans’ honour and human rights and tarnishes the country’s reputation," Minister of Social Development Abderrahim El Harouchi said, speaking on the occasion of the programme’s launch. Begging has become a circulating culture that eats away at the root of the social and economic reform efforts Morocco has made, he said. The new programme fits into the ministry’s larger initiative of helping all special needs groups integrate into a productive, social Moroccan society.
The ministry launched the programme -- jointly implemented with the Ministry of Justice and a number of government agencies -- in Casablanca under the framework of the National Human Development Initiative. Before expanding, the programme will first target Casablanca’s most troublesome districts, Anfa and al-Fida. Local authorities and associations will also be involved in the programme’s social integration components.
The programme groups beggars into three different categories: deviant beggars, beggars of need and beggars out of work. A 2004 Moroccan Childhood Protection League study showed that 56% of beggars are men and 44% are women. El Harouchi noted that approximately 15% of beggars under the age of seven are hired workers and are paid between 50 and 100 dirhams per week to beg for their employers.
The Tit Mellil Social Centre has agreed to study the phenomenon of begging in order to measure the number of people in each category and to help implement the programme. The Moroccan government has designated 38m dirhams to support associations involved in the programme.
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محمد Posted 2007-03-08
With my respect to the author of this article, but it's far from the content of the strategy to fight begging in Casablanca. The data that were presented during the event were deeper, as well as for statistics which go back to 2004, whereas there are statistics about the number of figures in 2006 which exceed 5500 in Casablanca, and a single woman beggar manages a team of 26 beggars...These data were unfortunately not included in the coverage which was based on the information published by other newspapers but they're outdated...Thanks
akreich Posted 2007-03-09
The issue in question requires a deep and objective study starting from the real causes responsible for the emergence of the phenomenon and its spread. The fact which I think is the cause of the problem is the slow pace of the economic development which does not is not in pace with the dynamism of the demographic progress. The pace of the society is quite quick whereas the pace of the economy in its global meaning suffers from some defect. The researcher for the deed causes of the stagnancy of the Moroccan economy, finds many causes. From the problems of the Moroccan political system and the political elite who have lost their political sense and lost all equilibrium to manage and rationalise the political act. It is quite natural that public activities become unstable and thus cause a severe social quake that the political parties are unable to handle. Logic says sound starts give necessarily sound results. As long as the political act isn't sound, it's natural to come up with a society full of defects. Begging, illiteracy, unemployment, terrorism... Every problem has a solution. The problem with Morocco is that it has lost the real meaning of the political act. We will clear this in the future. The meaning of the political elite. It has abridged the answer and made it on one side only...we will answer the issue in its broader meaning.
Salim Posted 2007-03-09
Salam Aliykum Jami3an, It's a great Idea to focus on the beggan disease in the Moroccan Society. It's true that's a large part of Moroccan People are living thanks to begging but it's also true that another large part are looking to begging as a real Job & they are very happy with its incomes!
mohamed Posted 2007-03-16
Bad grade
fatima Posted 2007-05-02
hi i think all thoses policies are good but we hope to find solutions the this phonemen soon inchalah
reda Posted 2007-05-31
Long live Morocco!
فاطمة الزهراء Posted 2007-07-13
Begging has become a profession in Morocco
نافع الرفاعي Posted 2007-11-19
A serious phenomenon which has to be fought. I'm sure that the ministry of Mrs Nezha Sekalli is studying the phenomenon meticulously to eradicate it.
هاجر Posted 2007-11-26
Hi, I like this and I would like it if you just made a city only for the beggars.
MoOnY Posted 2007-12-26
Thanks for the great topic...but it's old.
برتقالة Posted 2008-01-19
No one can express his opinion about this phenomenon unless he is learned about this strategy which is very complicated and addresses a social phenomenon with complex threads.
puppeteer Posted 2008-02-08
I would say that begging is rather an art in Morocco, reserved for the swindlers.
محمد Posted 2008-02-13
A great topic and I’m looking for a deeper topic. Thank you for your assistance.
kikou Posted 2008-02-28
What are the consequences of begging?
شمس Posted 2008-04-02
Salam alikoum. Begging must be fought seriously and in all Moroccan cities. I think that we all have our share of responsibility. Everyone must contribute to eliminating this phenomenon which damages the reputation of the country and increases the rates of delinquency. But we must build associations specialised in raising awareness and providing help, moral before the material, to these beggars especially kids and young people and integrate them in schools or at work.
yahya Posted 2008-04-14
Salam alikoum. Honestly, this article is incomplete and you must complete it.
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