Rabat – Morocco’s Head of Government Saad Eddine El Othmani officially launched Morocco’s campaign against the “scourge” of violence against women on Friday, November 29, in Rabat.
In his speech, El Othmani noted that the issue “is not only a women’s affair, but [the problem] of all actors in society.” El Othmani welcomed the participation of NGOs and called for dialogue and preventive measures to tackle gender-based violence.
In 2018, Morocco passed Law 103.13 on the elimination of violence against women. The law greatly increased the penalties for those caught harassing or assaulting women. However, El Othmani emphasized, “Repressive measures alone can not solve the problem.”
While women’s rights activists have complained of the law’s vagueness and brevity, El Othmani asserted that it clearly defines gender-based violence and methods to eradicate it, MAP reports.
Two Moroccan organizations working with women who have been victims of violence recently reported that they saw an increase in cases between 2017 and 2018.
Moroccan civil society organizations are also highlighting violence against women as part of the international “16 days of activism against gender-based violence” campaign. The Tahadi Association for Equality and Citizenship (ATEC) is focusing especially on digital forms of abuse and harassment.
In a press release shared with Morocco World News, ATEC noted that one in four Moroccan women are victims of “online violence.”
The government’s project, its 17th annual campaign on the issue, will continue for several weeks under the theme “All young people united against violence against women” until December 20.
Minister of Solidarity and Family Jamila Moussali also attended the campaign’s launch on Friday.
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