Fez – As Morocco still grapples with the socio-economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis, the country’s Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family stressed this week the need to acknowledge and celebrate Moroccan women’s contribution to the national campaign to tackle the pandemic and its attendant economic and social issues.
Speaking at the award ceremony of the 6th edition of the Tamayuz Prize for Moroccan Women on December 14, Aawatef Hayar insisted the event was a moment to honor and show gratitude to Moroccan women who bravely and venerably played their part in Morocco’s efforts to deal with the pandemic.
The ceremony was held under the auspices of the Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family Ministry to put a spotlight on Morocco’s “iron ladies” who faithfully served the country during the pandemic, especially in the daunting early weeks and months of the COVID crisis.
The theme of this year’s edition, “Distinguished initiatives for the mitigation of the COVID-19 impact on women,” was chosen in recognition of the pioneering role played by Moroccan women in addressing the multidimensional challenges related to the social and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The award ceremony saw the attendance of women from several public sectors such as health, national security, and education.
“We take this opportunity to celebrate Moroccan women who were at the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic in several sectors, including health, education, national security, and several other sectors,” Minister Hayar told Morocco World News after the event.
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“Tifaout,” an agricultural cooperative situated in Taroudant province, obtained the event’s main prize in recognition of its project aimed at producing and marketing argan oil, with the vision of mitigating the COVID-19 impact on women in rural areas.
As she collected the prize, the cooperative’s chairperson thanked the Solidarity Ministry for giving Morocco’s women such an opportunity to show their potential and highlight their contributions to Moroccan society. The chairperson also dedicated the prize to all women working in the cooperative as well as all those who contributed to helping “Tifaout” see the light of day.
The second prize went to the “Tayba” Association, situated in the region of Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, for establishing a center that specializes in facilitating women’s socio-economic integration.
“This prize is dedicated to all the inhabitants of Dakhla,” said Tayba’s chairperson Maimouna Amaidane, adding that the prize will encourage the association to be more productive.
Meanwhile, the third prize was awarded to the cooperative “Hasbia Fashion” of Oujda, for its project dealing with the production and free distribution of face masks.
Nouara Hassbia, the manager of the Oujda-based cooperative, expressed her delight at such a recognition of Moroccan women’s endeavors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Tamayuz prize is an annual ceremony that celebrates Moroccan women’s contributions in several vital fields. The prize was established by the Solidarity ministry in hopes of fostering women’s empowerment and encouraging them to participate in Morocco’s development.
This year, the prize celebrated all women who stood on the frontline national pandemic effort, bravely fighting against the COVID-19 crisis and supplying the Moroccan people with essential services to survive the most excruciating periods of the pandemic.
