Challenges in child welfare: Morocco's path to better protection

Morocco's government is taking significant steps to enhance child welfare as it faces pressing challenges in protecting its youth. During a national meeting focused on child protection held in Sale, Minister of Solidarity, Social Inclusion, and Family, Naïma Ben Yahya, emphasized the need for a unified approach to address these persistent issues.

The event, titled “Child Protection: Local Implementation and Quality of Services,” was organized with the support of UNICEF. Ben Yahya outlined several critical areas requiring improvement, including the enhancement of prevention programs and the necessity for better coordination among services. Local actors must take full responsibility in implementing the national child protection plan to foster effective outcomes.

One of the minister's key concerns was the limited human and financial resources available for child protection efforts. She underscored the importance of empowering civil society and establishing a comprehensive digital system to monitor children under protection. The increasing threat of violence against children, particularly online abuse, has highlighted the urgent need for more research and data related to children's issues.

In response to these challenges, the government is developing a plan to establish a National Agency for Children in Need of Protection. This agency aims to bolster institutional support and ensure improved governance and quality services for children in vulnerable situations.

Morocco's performance in the 2024 Kids Rights Index reflects its ongoing struggle, ranking 54th out of 194 countries with a score of 0.776. This places Morocco second among Maghreb nations, just behind Tunisia. The index evaluates countries on their commitment to children's rights, focusing on five core areas: life, health, education, protection, and enabling environment. Notably, when considering climate change as an additional factor, Morocco's ranking drops to 73rd.

As Morocco navigates these complex challenges, the establishment of the new agency may provide a crucial framework for enhancing the welfare of its children and ensuring their rights are prioritized.