Morocco and Qatar are working together to enhance their collaboration and empower women in social welfare services and employment opportunities.
In a recent visit to Rabat, Morocco, Qatar Minister of Social Development and Family, Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, met with her Moroccan counterpart, Awatif Hayar, to discuss ways of improving bilateral relations and advocating for women empowerment.
During the meeting, the two ministers exchanged ideas and strategies to enhance social welfare services, highlighting the importance of their countries' partnership.
The Qatari minister emphasized the historical significance of the relationship between Qatar and Morocco, exploring potential areas of collaboration in women issues, children welfare, support for disabled individuals, and family assistance.
Hayar highlighted Morocco progress since the adoption of the 2011 Constitution, which aimed to build a more democratic and inclusive society, promoting human rights and equality.
She also stressed Morocco commitment to female empowerment in its 2021-2026 government program, aiming to increase female employment from 20% to 30% by 2026.
Both countries are dedicated to supporting social development and underrepresented groups, especially considering Morocco declining female labor participation rates in recent years.
According to the World Bank, approximately 80% of Morocco working-age women are currently not in the labor market, posing a significant challenge for the country economy.
On the other hand, Qatar has made significant progress in achieving gender equality in recent years.
The Qatari government has launched initiatives to promote women participation in the labor force and implemented a law in 2018 that prohibits gender-based discrimination in the workplace.
In 2020, Qatar Foundation introduced a program focused on empowering women and encouraging their leadership in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).