Moroccan Children Raise Their Voices for Education, Health, and Protection

Rabat – Children from across Morocco gathered in Rabat last week to call for stronger protection of their rights and for their concerns to be taken seriously.  

The call came during a national consultation at the initiative of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), with support from UNICEF Morocco, on June 13-14.

The event marked the final stage of a year-long journey that began in February 2023, when the CNDH launched a series of regional consultations in all 12 regions of the country. 

Over a year, hundreds of children participated in these sessions to share their views on the challenges they face and the changes they hope to see. The national consultation brought together representatives from each region to summarize their experiences and make their voices heard at the national level.

“Today, we raise our voices to deliver this call, firmly believing in and holding on to our right to be heard, and for our dignity and best interests to be respected,” the children said.

In their appeal, children stressed their right to participate in all matters that concern them. They asked for their voices to be heard regularly, not just during special events, and for laws to guarantee their right to take part in decisions that affect their lives.

Education was another major concern. The children noted the need for quality education that is accessible to all, regardless of their circumstances.

Health was also at the top of their list, as they called for better care for mothers before birth and proper medical support to help children grow up healthy and strong. They also spoke of the importance of being safe from violence and neglect, both at home and in public. 

In addition, the children explained that play is a basic part of their lives and asked for safer and welcoming spaces where they can play, laugh, and interact with others.

They also expressed the importance of freedom of expression, saying that every child should be able to speak up and be heard. They called for better support for children with disabilities, including more use of sign language and the presence of interpreters when needed.

Children taking part in the consultation also drew attention to the need for equality. They asked that children in difficult situations, such as those with disabilities, migrant children, and victims of violence, receive special care and support, without discrimination. 

They proposed the creation of childhood networks across all Moroccan regions to give children a structured and safe way to meet, share their opinions, and participate in shaping their communities.

Throughout their call, the children expressed a strong desire for CNDH to remain a supportive partner as they continue to fight for their rights. They ended their message by reminding everyone that children’s rights are human rights, and that these rights must be made real, not just through words, but through action.