More than 143,000 people took part in the citizen consultation on “the participation of women in development”, indicated, Friday in Rabat, the president of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE), Ahmed Reda Chami.
Speaking at the opening session of the first national symposium on “women, the family and the challenge of development”, Mr. Chami underlined that a citizen consultation on “the participation of women in development” was launched through the ESEC citizen participation platform “ouchariko.ma” on the initiative of the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family, in partnership with the Council.
According to the official, the theme of this consultation has aroused great interest among citizens who have largely participated in it (the total number of interactions with the subject reached 143,239, including 1,302 responses to the questionnaire).
In view of the results of this consultation, the number of participants exceeds 75%, a rate which reflects, according to Mr. Chami, the great interest shown by women in this question, adding that the majority of participants belong to the urban working population ( 91%), particularly in the regions of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra (28%) and Greater Casablanca-Settat (26%).
The conclusions of this consultation reflect the perceptions and expectations of the participants in relation to the challenges facing women and the family in terms of development, noted Mr. Chami, announcing that the main conclusions of this citizen consultation will be presented later in a document. detailed summary.
When it comes to gender equality, almost 71% of participants believe that the main obstacle to its achievement lies in the dominant social and cultural mentalities and ideas, followed by the “economic vulnerability of women” (54%) as well as the “low representation of women in positions of responsibility” (49%) and the “legal framework” (38%), he noted.
In relation to the main obstacles that prevent women from being economically autonomous, the majority of respondents (71%) put the persistent predominance of the male mentality in relations with women in the foreground, followed by the various forms of discrimination in the professional field (51%), difficulties in accessing education and training (43%), household obligations and responsibilities (42%) as well as risks to the safety of women in the workplace (36 %).
Similarly, verbal abuse or inappropriate actions or behaviors come first, according to participants’ opinions (63%), followed by sexual harassment (61%), explained Mr. Chami, noting that for almost the half of the women and men participating, the spaces in which women are most exposed to manifestations of violence are the home, public places, social networking sites and the virtual world in general, as well as means of transport and places of work.
Also, respondents consider it necessary to pay special attention to enable women to participate fully in development and in the fight against stereotypes that degrade the status of women in society (71%), followed by empowerment women’s economic and financial affairs (63%), the strengthening of the legal and institutional framework capable of concretizing the principle of equality between women and men (59%), in addition to strengthening the security conditions of women at home , in public spaces and in the workplace (58% of opinions).
Cultural factors constitute a major obstacle to the achievement of gender equality and prevent the empowerment of women, according to the results of this consultation, thus confirming the diagnoses and findings of the ESEC in its reports and opinions.
The Council notes that no progress can be made without removing the restrictions and cultural barriers that stand in the way of promoting the status of women, because building a modern, inclusive and dynamic society requires confronting stereotypes, which degrade the dignity of women.
On this occasion, Mr Chami reviewed the recommendations proposed by the ESEC, in the various reports and opinions issued, concerning the improvements to be undertaken to advance equality and achieve the economic empowerment of women, including those of an institutional nature, including the acceleration of the pace of adaptation of national legislation to international agreements ratified by the Kingdom and the abolition of all discriminatory provisions against women and girls.
And to conclude that the success of this project remains dependent on a public debate capable of developing mentalities, inculcating the principles of equality between men and women in children and correcting discriminatory stereotypes against women.
Organized at the initiative of the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration and the Family, this two-day symposium aims to highlight the issues and challenges of promoting the status of women and the family and of their full participation in all areas of development and to discuss the best ways to meet these challenges and recommend proposals on the issues addressed.