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Join on Telegram Rabat – As part of her three-day visit to Morocco, Ivanka Trump visited the Palais des Congres in Rabat on Friday, November 8, giving $6.2 million in grants to nine beneficiaries.
The event was part of the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP), which President Donald Trump established earlier this year to advance the global economic empowerment of 50 million women in developing countries in the upcoming six years.
Previously having visited Ethiopia and Cote d’Ivoire, Ivanka made Morocco her second destination on behalf of W-GDP to the African continent.
This time Sean Cairncross, CEO of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), accompanied Ivanka, backing the initiative as an independent US foreign aid agency that provides grants to developing countries to strengthen economic growth and reduce poverty.
Hope
Ivanka Trump came to Rabat in her capacity as senior advisor to the president, paying tribute to the many initiatives that have blossomed as a result of the W-GDP. One of them is a promising job fund, aiming for the empowerment of women through labor participation.
“Research shows if women participated equally compared to men, over $12 trillion would be accumulated to the global GDP. That number represents more than an economic boom. It represents hope. Female students who can attend colleges and mothers who can lift themselves out of poverty,” Ivanka stated.
Ivanka underlined how the job fund is tied to achievement. Nine beneficiaries stood out and earned themselves the total sum of $6.2 million. But, as Ivanka pointed out, one particular organization has earned a special round of applause.
“One of the awardees is the Moroccan Foundation for Education and Employment (EFE). For more than 10 years, this foundation has provided skills training. They have created 25,000 jobs for women seeking employment.”
“Now, more than ever, it is essential we work hand in hand not only to participate but to thrive and prosper in our global economy. Everyone is taking bold steps to invest in the underutilized talent, ambition, and genius of women. Together we can make a true global impact, growing economies and fostering hope, stability, and peace. This is a legacy we can write into our history,” Ivanka concluded.
2 days, 5 deliverables, 1 incredible W-GDP trip to Morocco! #WGDP
???? pic.twitter.com/iYN2PkKmkq— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) November 8, 2019
Ivanka concluded her three-day trip, by posting a closing video on Twitter of herself with Sean Cairncross at the US embassy of Morocco. Ivanka reiterated Morocco’s great progress in accomplishing better legal -and working conditions for women.
When women thrive
Accompanying Ivanka as CEO of MCC, Sean Cairncross elaborated about the necessity of more females joining the Moroccan working force. “Twenty-two percent of the females above 50 are not working, this opposed to 65% of the male labor force. Economic growth cannot be achieved if half the working force is not participating. MCC hopes it can help women to support themselves.”
“When women thrive, countries thrive, and MCC is giving these women the tools to do so,” Cairncross concluded.
Married at 21 and dissatisfied with the lack of opportunities and personal freedom, Fatma Bouhadha took time in her hands when she decided to divorce her husband. “For four years I was married to my ex-husband. I was not allowed to study or work for myself. There simply came a moment where I thought, ‘enough is enough,’ I want to be independent and look after myself,” she told Morocco World News.
The W-GDP initiative made an impact on Bouhadha’s life, she explained.
“Though divorce is very much frowned upon in Morocco, my family rallied behind me and supports me all the way! I have recently concluded my study of finance, and I am right now looking for a job in the banking sector. Through the initiatives of W-GDP, I have been able to expand my network significantly and get in touch with a lot of people. To me, Ivanka Trump is a role model and an inspiring figure to look up to,” Bouhadha concluded.
