The Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family unveiled Morocco’s first National Program to Combat Gender Stereotypes and Promote a Culture of Equality 2035 during a ceremony held in Rabat on Wednesday, July 22.
Supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the initiative seeks to promote equality and combat discrimination against women by mobilizing public institutions, civil society organizations, media outlets, and other stakeholders to support its implementation.
The program is built around five strategic pillars: family, education, media and the digital space, employment and economic participation, and public space and citizenship. It also outlines priority actions, along with governance, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms.
Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family launched the country's first National Program to Combat Gender Stereotypes and Promote a Culture of Equality 2035.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family Naima Ben Yahia described the initiative as a key component of the social reform agenda led by King Mohammed VI to advance justice, equality, and equal opportunities.
She said the program aims to help foster a culture of gender equality, strengthen women’s rights, and reinforce the role of Moroccan women in society.
Ben Yahia acknowledged that Morocco has made important progress in expanding women’s participation in public life but stressed that further efforts are needed to ensure women’s full participation and economic independence. She identified the fight against gender stereotypes and all forms of discrimination as one of the ministry’s main priorities.
Secretary of State for Social Integration Abdeljabbar Rachidi said achieving a more equitable society requires more than legislation and public policies. He argued that lasting change depends on transforming mindsets, challenging stereotypes, and reshaping social attitudes and behaviors.
Read also : Morocco launches national campaign to combat violence against children
Rachidi added that Morocco has achieved significant progress in promoting equality through royal initiatives, constitutional provisions, and international commitments, while calling for stronger mobilization across all sectors to accelerate progress and increase women’s participation in public life and decision-making positions.
For his part, UNFPA Representative in Morocco Mehdi Helmy said Morocco has made notable advances in protecting women’s rights through constitutional guarantees of equality, parity, and non-discrimination, as well as legislative and institutional reforms and public policies.
He described the new national program as a comprehensive societal project requiring the involvement of all stakeholders and reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to supporting Morocco and its national partners in implementing the initiative through 2035.
