Morocco’s Princess Lalla Meryem Chaired “ICESCO Year of Women 2021” Closing Ceremony

Rabat – Morocco’s princess Lalla Meryem chaired on March 30 the closing ceremony of “ICESCO Year of Women 2021,” marking a series of programs that recognized the pioneering role of women in the Islamic world.

The ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Islamic World Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ICESCO) in Rabat and rounded off the 2021 year-long initiative to celebrate women.

The Director General of ICESCO Salem Ben Mohamed El Malek said that the initiative reflects ICESCO’s commitment to guarantee women’s rights and promote their notable role in building a resilient future.

Themed “Women for the Future,” ICESCO marked 2021 as the “Year of Women” with an aim to pay tribute to women, in recognition of their pioneering roles before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, El Malek added.

During the ceremony, princess Lalla Meryem screened a video presentation entitled “son de cloches (French for Sound of Bells),” before launching the “Bells to raise awareness on the role of women in the future of the Islamic world.”

The princess also visited an exhibition at the ICESCO, which includes works of plastic art and handicrafts.

Lalla Meryem, who is also the President of the National Union of Women of Morocco (UNFM), was greeted by the Minister of National Education Chakib Benmoussa, the Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family Aawatif Hayar, the Governor of the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra Region Mohammed Yacoubi, and the Director General of ICESCO Salem Ben Mohamed El Malek.

In his speech, ICESCO’s director drew attention to the princess’s commitment to empower women, while highlighting King Mohammed VI’s support for the organization’s initiative.

He also reviewed the various programs, projects and initiatives implemented by the organization that have marked this year dedicated to women.

Of the programs, ICESCO launched “Women Pioneers Around the World” initiative in July 2021, gathering women pioneers in the Islamic world in various fields with an eye on emphasizing the importance of joint dialogue to enhance societies’ resilience in the face of crises.

As part of ICESCO’s new vision for its strategic plan 2020-2030, the organization proclaimed 2021 as the year of women to highlight their leading roles in several fields, empower and integrate them into society, while protecting their rights to education and combating gender inequality.