Morocco officially launched the first edition of its national awareness campaign to protect children from violence on Friday, July 17, during a ceremony held in Salé.
The campaign, titled “For a Safe Environment for Our Children #WeWillNotStaySilent,” was launched by Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family Naima Ben Yahia, alongside Secretary of State for Social Integration Abdeljabbar Rachidi. The event brought together UNICEF Morocco Representative Laura Bill, National Observatory for Children’s Rights Secretary General Amal Chafai, representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, international partners, the private sector, and the media.
In her opening remarks, Ben Yahia said the campaign reflects King Mohammed VI’s vision of strengthening the foundations of the social state and improving child welfare. She also highlighted the commitment of Princess Lalla Meryem, President of the National Observatory for Children’s Rights, to advancing initiatives that protect children’s rights.
The minister stressed that protecting children from violence is a shared responsibility requiring the involvement of public institutions, families, schools, civil society, and communities. She called for stronger efforts to promote children’s rights, encourage reporting, combat all forms of violence—including online abuse—and improve child protection mechanisms.
She also highlighted several government initiatives, including the “Riaya” social support program, the development of early intervention mechanisms, Morocco’s first national survey on child empowerment indicators, expanded partnerships with civil society organizations, and the strengthening of child protection units across the country.
Rachidi said the campaign forms part of Morocco’s broader social reforms and emphasized the need to address emerging threats such as digital violence, online exploitation, neglect, and sexual extortion targeting children, particularly those in vulnerable situations. He called for stronger prevention measures, awareness campaigns, and better coordination among stakeholders.
For her part, Amal Chafai said the initiative renews Morocco’s collective commitment to protecting children and promoting a culture of prevention and reporting. She noted that violence affects children in homes, schools, communities, and increasingly in digital spaces, making society-wide action essential.
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UNICEF Morocco Representative Laura Bill described child protection as a collective responsibility, noting that thousands of children continue to face different forms of violence. She cited national figures showing that more than 103,000 children remain engaged in child labor, while 9,752 cases of child marriage have been recorded, underscoring the need to strengthen prevention and protection efforts.
The launch ceremony concluded with the signing of partnership agreements between the ministry and several civil society organizations to establish 10 new child protection units across Morocco’s provinces. The expansion will increase the total number of child protection units nationwide to 53.
The campaign will combine television and radio awareness spots, digital videos featuring social media influencers, and community outreach activities organized by partners across the country to promote a culture of child protection, encourage reporting, and help create safer environments where children can grow and thrive.
