Latest updates
Morocco is rewarded with an A grade performance regarding its implementation of CEDAW Committee recommendations
July 18, 2022
Earlier this week on 18th July, the government of Morocco agreed to cooperate fully with United Nations treaty bodies and mechanisms, recognizing the importance of promoting and protecting human rights in Morocco.
Morocco has remained strongly committed to the treaty bodies as its experts were regularly presented to work at the committee.
Morocco had been given an A grade regarding its implementation of recommendations. The State also commended the meeting held by the Chairs of the treaty bodies.
June 22, 2022
Last month, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women concluded its consideration of the combined fifth and sixth periodic report of Morocco, with Committee Experts praising Morocco for introducing legislations that prohibited discrimination and raising questions about high maternal mortality and female illiteracy rates in rural areas.
Morocco banned discrimination based on sex, colour, language and disability and also introduced the law against violence against women, the law on combatting trafficking in human beings, the domestic workers protection law, the law on combatting of all forms of discrimination, and other laws.
The committee also commended Morocco on the progress it had made in enhancing women’s rights, and called on the State party to implement all of the recommendations of the Committee to further improve the situation of women and girls in the country.
Morocco aims to implement Security Council Resolution 1325 through its National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, that was launched in March 2022.
Post Election Preliminary Statement, GEOM Morocco 2021
September 9, 2021
Preliminary Statement,
Gender Election Observation Mission (GEOM) Morocco 2021
Rabat, 9th of September 2021
Following the invitation of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) of the Kingdom of Morocco,
Gender Concerns International is pleased to have observed the Legislative, Regional and Municipal Elections in Morocco held on 8th September 2021.
GEOM Morocco 2021, headed by Sabra Bano, observed Pre-election activities in Casablanca city centre and in its neighbourhoods like Hey Hassan, and further in Rabat city centre as well as outside in the areas of Sikharat and El Baharoui.
GEOM Morocco 2021 marks and celebrates 10 years of its continuous relationship with CNDH, women rights, human rights and other civil society organisations and national institutions in Morocco. Since the November 2011 elections, the organisation has observed a gradual and steady progress in terms of strengthening rooted democracy and its further transformation that promotes parity, prosperity and participation for all in Morocco. The 2021 Election has been an extraordinary event, not only because of the holding of all three Elections on the same day, but also under the challenging conditions of the current pandemic.
Gender Concerns International congratulates the National Human Rights Council, the Ministry of Interior, Election Management Bodies and Civil Society actors and all relevant stakeholders for their diligent contribution in organizing and conducting Free and Fair elections.
GEOMs are women-led, women-managed and women-reported international missions observing elections from a distinct gender perspective on women’s electoral participation as voters, candidates and their role and position in the Election Management Bodies.
This statement reflects only the initial findings and observation made on Election Day and during the Pre-election phase.The Final report will be issued later detailing the findings and recommendations indicated here after internal analysis and tabulation procedures are concluded.
On Election Day, the GEOM team of all 7 women International Observers was deployed mainly in the cities of Casablanca, El Jadida and Fes. The Mission observed all-day-long election proceedings of the day including Opening and Closing of the polls from a gender perspective. The El Jadida and Casablanca team was headed by Joint Head of Mission Lucyna de Graaf. The Mission also observed the Counting of the votes in Fes and Casablanca.
The GEOM Morocco 2021 is a Short-term Mission that followed the previously conducted GEOMs in 2011, 2015 and 2016 held in Morocco with a focus of promoting and supporting gender parity in electoral processes and women’s participation at the decision-making level.
Findings
- The Mission observed a significant number of female voters at almost all polling stations that it observed.
- Mission noted that a dominated majority of polling station Heads were male. There has been a significant number of women holding a position as Vice-President. Other polling staff dominated male members including youth. Majority of women was found at the level of counting of the votes.
- Political party agents included many women, but the majority was still represented by men.
- Furthermore, the observed polling staff was found assisting and helpful in the voting process.
- The Mission found the current voter list at polling stations hindersome to identify the gender of the voters. Thus, not transparent and remains insufficient to identify gender inequalities and support that could be provided to promote voter parity.
Recommendations
- More female Heads of polling stations should be appointed to reflect gender parity.
- Women Electoral Management and staffing should reflect gender parity.
- Youth engagement in Electoral Management is encouraging, however parity among young women and men in selection procedure is recommended.
- GEOM highly recommends that a gender-segregated voter list should be prepared for transparent voter observation.
More about Gender Concerns
Gender Concerns International is a Gender and Development organization based in The Hague, the Netherlands. The organisation has offices in Asia and the MENA region. GEOM primarily focuses on promoting inclusive governance and it supports gender parity in electoral processes in order to enable women to obtain leadership positions and key decision-making roles. As a signatory to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation (DoP), the GEOM instrument represents the importance of incorporating and enhancing a gender dimension to international election observation.
Following the success of the 2011 Morocco GEOM for Parliamentary elections and the Morocco GEOM for 2015 local elections, the 2016 Morocco GEOM for Parliamentary elections were successfully conducted. Gender Concerns International has extensive international experience having conducted GEOMs in countries including Pakistan (2008 and 2013), Tunisia (2011 and 2014), Libya (2012), Myanmar (2015), and The Netherlands (2017, 2021).
For Mission details please contact Sabra Bano and Lucyna de Graaf.
Email: Sbano@genderconcerns.org, geom@genderconcerns.org
Phone number: 0653965784.
For further information please contact Tara Berkhof, Coordinator GEOM Morocco 2021
Wolga 9D
2491 BK The Hague
The Netherlands
Tel: +31(0) 70 444 5082
Mobile: +31 (0) 653965784
Press Release: GEOM Morocco 2021
September 5, 2021
Press Release:
The Hague, 5th September
2021 Gender Concerns International is honoured to announce the launch of its Gender Election Observation Mission (GEOM MOROCCO 2021) with the scope of observing the Legislative, Regional and Municipal Elections, that for the first time in history will be held on the same day, 8th September, 2021, in Morocco.
Following the invitation received by the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) of the Kingdom of Morocco, Gender Concerns International expresses its high gratitude for the opportunity to observe the upcoming Elections in Morocco.
The GEOM MOROCCO 2021 represents a women-led, women-managed and women reported unique mission.
Today, GEOM Head of Mission Sabra Bano launched the Mission in Casablanca by observing Pre-election campaign activities and meeting with Civil Society Organisations, Political Party Representatives and many women candidates.
Tomorrow, GEOM will observe the Pre-election campaign in the capital city of Rabat and will meet various stakeholders.
On Election Day, the Mission will observe the conduct of elections from a distinct gender perspective. The unique GEOM is the only international election observation mission to observe elections from a gender lens and focuses on women’s electoral participation as candidates, voters and electoral officials. GEOM Morocco 2021 will observe with a team of 7 women International Observers.
GEOM primarily focuses on promoting inclusive governance and it supports gender parity in electoral processes in order to enable women to obtain leadership positions and key decision-making roles. The mission observes elections from a specific gender perspective with standards of objectivity and neutrality. As a signatory to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation (DoP), the GEOM instrument represents the importance of incorporating and enhancing a gender dimension to international election observation. It emphasizes on women’s democratic participation as voters, candidates, and electoral officials.
GEOM Morocco 2021 will be conducted in several locations in major cities and across Morocco. The GEOM will issue its Preliminary Statement within 24 hours after the closing of the polls on 8th September. A Final Report will be issued subsequently. GEOM MOROCCO 2021 represents the continuation for a series of successful GEOM initiatives in Morocco during the years 2011, 2015 and 2016.
Gender Concerns International has extensive international experience having conducted GEOMs in countries including Pakistan (2008 and 2013), Tunisia (2011 and 2014), Libya (2012), Myanmar (2015), and The Netherlands (2017, 2021). The profound change-making impact of these missions has influenced the process of reform at the level of national institutions and in shaping the direction of the public discourse on women`s political participation, including The Netherlands.
For further information please contact:
Sabra Bano, Head of Mission
At: sbano@genderconcerns.org
Phone Number: 0031653965784
Or Mission Coordinator
Tara Berkhof
E: tara@genderconcerns.org
Gender Concerns International
Wolga 9D2491 BK, The Hague, the Netherlands
P: +31 (0) 74445082 W: www.genderconcerns.org
GEOM is facilitated by Gender Concerns International, an international gender and development organization with its headquarters in The Hague and offices in several focus countries. It specializes working in the areas of Women, Peace and Security, Climate Change and Election Observation from Gender Perspective.
8th September 2021 Elections in Morocco: GEOM Morocco 2021 assesses the scope of women`s electoral participation
August 23, 2021
Gender Concerns International is honoured to have received an official invitation and accreditation from the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) of the Kingdom of Morocco, to observe the upcoming elections in Morocco from a distinct gender perspective (GEOM).
September 2021 will mark the third elections since the adoption of the new constitution in 2011 in Morocco. Having suffered from a health and socioeconomic crisis simultaneously in recent years, Morocco’s future lies in the hands of the voters in this year’s upcoming elections.
For the first time in the country’s history, municipal, regional, and legislative elections will all take place on the same day, an approach which has been introduced with the hope of maximizing voter turnout. At the same time, with the introduction of new bills and declining interest of the youth in politics, the uncertainty around the potential winner of the election and the fate of Moroccan women increases.
Earlier this year, the country had drafted new bills with the aim of improving the electoral system and conducting more stable elections. Hereby, increasing inclusivity and women’s participation and representation has now become one of the focal points. By replacing national women’s lists with regional lists, Morocco aims to further its goal of allocating more seats to women in the elections and certain chambers.
These reforms provide great hope for greater equality reforms and a better future for Moroccan women after years of discrimination and insufficient efforts of the authorities. In a time where the Moroccan youth and women increasingly lose faith in and shift away from politics, the adopted changes are more crucial than ever.
Being a close observer of the developments in Morocco, Gender Concerns International emphasizes the importance of the inclusion of women in the policy-making processes and wishes to contribute to an effective integration and representation of women in electoral processes in Morocco.
Congratulations Ms. Bouaida: Morocco Elects Its First Female President in the Region
July 11, 2019
On July 5th, Mbarka Bouaida, a successful female politician, was elected president of the Morocco’s southeast region Guelmim-Oued Noun. Ms. Bouaida`s victory is historic marking her as the first woman to be a regional leader in Morocco. Her party, National Rally of Independents, defined her election as “historic”. Ms. Bouaida has been the Secretary of State to the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries since 2017. Following the elections, she announced her commitment to “starting a new era” in the region.
Gender Concerns International congratulates Ms. Mbarka Bouaida on this remarkable achievement.
We continue supporting women in Morocco and their progressive leadership and political participation as a role model for the region.
The Power of the Women's Voice in Local Governance in Morocco
August 31, 2016
Gender Concerns will facilitate a meeting with female counsellors in Casablanca, Morocco. The aim of the consultation is to enhance women’s democratic inclusion, as well as to introduce the Network رائداتلحوكمةالشأنالمحلي or ‘Pan-Union Women for Good Local Governance.’
The GEOM program is developed in partnership with CNDH and is supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Morocco.
We will keep you up to date with our latest developments about the date and information of this historic event.
Interactive Consultation and Workshop in Tanger, Morocco
July 16, 2016
On the 30th June, an interactive consultation and workshop was held with female councillors in Tangier, Morocco. Gender Concerns International observed all three rounds of the 2015 Moroccan elections under the GEOM program and establishes partnerships with major civil society, women’s organizations and political representatives by facilitating various consultations and networks. The consultation aims to facilitate and strengthen ongoing processes of women’s democratic inclusion, female leadership and inclusive democracy. The female councillors come from four different political parties, which raises hope for enhanced linkages and warm cooperation for common goals. Ms. Reem Obeidat with extensive expertise in female leadership and women’s political participation has been invited to lead the workshop. Gender Concerns International’s director, Ms. Sabra Bano has chaired the interactive consultation, and will be meeting with Civil Society Organisations, Women’s Organisations, and representatives of local political parties.
Happening Now: Training and Interactive Consultation in Morocco
June 6, 2016
Gender Concerns International is currently hosting a training and interactive consultations with local councillors in Rabat, Morocco. The Press Conference in which the Final Report of the Gender Election Observation Mission for the 2015 elections is to be presented, will commence in the afternoon. Have a look at the first picture of the already successful event, and expect further updates soon!