Morocco champions gender equality at UN session despite ongoing challenges

Morocco is actively participating in the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), which commenced on Monday in New York. This significant event highlights the nation’s ongoing commitment to gender equality amidst persistent barriers faced by women in various sectors.

Leading the Moroccan delegation is Minister of Solidarity, Naima Ben Yahia, accompanied by officials from national institutions, government departments, and civil society organizations. The Moroccan Permanent Representative to the UN, Omar Hilale, is also present to support the discussions.

The sessions, which will run until March 21, aim to evaluate the progress made in advancing women's rights in line with the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. These discussions will focus on identifying the challenges that impede gender equality and women's empowerment, while also assessing the impact of these commitments on the UN’s 2030 development agenda.

Established in 1946, the Commission on the Status of Women serves as the primary global forum for formulating policies that promote gender equality. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, where 189 governments adopted the Beijing Declaration in 1995. This landmark declaration encompasses commitments across 12 key areas, including education, economic participation, healthcare, human rights, and decision-making power.

On Wednesday, Morocco will host a side event led by Minister Ben Yahia, themed “Women’s Economic Empowerment and Their Contributions to Socio-Economic Development.” This event will feature insights from officials of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) and the High Commission for Planning (HCP), showcasing Morocco’s initiatives to enhance women’s roles in the economy.

Despite decades of international advocacy for gender equality, the reality on the ground remains stark. Recent findings from UN Women indicate that nearly one in four governments worldwide reported a backlash against women's rights in 2024. Such statistics underline the slow pace of change and the ongoing struggles women encounter in terms of economic participation, political empowerment, and legal protection.

The persistence of these challenges raises critical questions regarding the effectiveness of global initiatives and the disconnect between policy commitments and the lived experiences of women worldwide.