Empowering Women’s Representation – Support Fund Initiative

• Organization : ASSOCIATION SUPPORT ET GESTION DU CENTRE MULTIFONCTIONNEL ATTAOUIA 
• Project : Empowering Women’s Representation – Support Fund Initiative
• Duration : June 2023 – January 2024
• Budget : 220,000 MAD / year
• Funding Partners : Ministry of Interior
• Target : 72 women
• Location :

Project Overview:

The Moroccan woman derives her rightful place in society from her significant role, representing 52% of Morocco’s population, 49% of the national electorate, one-third of the active workforce, and one-fifth of those responsible for Moroccan households. The quota system allowed 35 women to enter Parliament in 2002, compared to just two in 1997, increasing their presence in legislative bodies to one of the highest rates in the Arab world. This rise was from a mere 0.6% in the 1997 elections to about 11% in 2002. However, the local elections held a year later, without the quota system, saw a regression, revealing that the presence of women in local councils still requires preferential measures, consensus-building, and bold political decisions. Only 1,227 women out of 122,658 candidates (5%) ran, and just 127 women secured seats out of 23,639 total municipal council seats, accounting for only 0.54%.

These numbers unequivocally highlight the limited representation of women in local councils, a percentage that falls short of the aspirations of Moroccan society, which remains committed to a democratic approach that ensures equal rights and duties for both men and women.

Since its inception, ASSOCIATION SUPPORT ET GESTION DU CENTRE MULTIFONCTIONNEL ATTAOUIA has played a central role in organizing, raising awareness, and advocating against all forms of discrimination against women. It focuses on empowering women by building their capacities, enabling them to acquire knowledge and skills, and promoting a culture of gender equality. The association strives to embed these values in political, legislative, and institutional frameworks and enhance women’s political participation from a standpoint of equal rights, management of differences, and embracing identity diversity based on freedom and respect for others’ rights.

After signing the partnership agreement on March 26, 2023, which focuses on the political empowerment of women in elected councils and professional chambers as a vital pillar of democracy, aimed at achieving gender parity, ASSOCIATION SUPPORT ET GESTION DU CENTRE MULTIFONCTIONNEL ATTAOUIA began implementing this project on the ground. This initiative serves as a genuine test of how well public policies meet development requirements and address the needs of the population. The association has integrated this project into its action plan and developed a comprehensive program implementation matrix to bring it to life.

Project Targets:

The primary objective of the program overseen by our association is to strengthen the capacities of 72 women councilors from the Ahl Al-Ghaba, El Kelaa des Sraghna. This initiative aims to enhance and elevate women’s political rights in the same area, ensuring fair and equitable representation, which is essential for establishing an irreversible democratic foundation. To achieve this, the program workshops have set several key goals:

Goal One: Raising Awareness and Encouraging Political Participation

The first goal is to raise awareness and motivate women to participate in political life. The inaugural workshop attracted over 380 women, serving as a significant catalyst for engagement. By emphasizing the importance of their involvement, this workshop laid the groundwork for fostering a culture of political activism among women in the community.

Goal Two: Capacity Building and Skill Development

The second goal focuses on strengthening capacities and acquiring essential skills through a series of training sessions, averaging two workshops per month. These sessions are designed to equip women with the necessary knowledge and competencies to navigate the political landscape effectively, empowering them to take on leadership roles within their communities.

Goal Three: Engaging the Broader Community

The third goal aims to raise awareness among the immediate and broader community—family members, colleagues, friends, political parties, associations, the media, and the general public—about the value and necessity of women’s work in elected councils. By promoting a supportive environment, this goal seeks to build recognition for women’s contributions and encourage collective advocacy for their representation.

Goal Four: Educating Young People About Political Participation

The fourth goal is to educate and raise awareness among youth, particularly young women aged 18 to 35, about the significance of participating in elections and the fight against all forms of political exclusion of women. This initiative aims to inspire a new generation of activists who recognize the importance of gender equity in politics.

Goal Five: Experience Sharing Through Field Visits

The fifth goal involves exchanging experiences through field visits. These visits provide participants with the opportunity to learn from one another, share best practices, and gain insights from successful women leaders in different contexts. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of solidarity and empowers women to adopt innovative strategies in their political endeavors.

Results and Performance Indicators:

Our initiative has made measurable strides toward its objectives, achieving 958 out of the targeted 1,786 outcomes across multiple indicators, with an overall achievement rate of 54%. Workshops engaged 34 participants out of a 72-target, reflecting an achievement rate of 47%, while awareness and marketing campaigns completed 83% of their targets. Facility improvements met their goals with full completion of training room upgrades, and facilitator contracts were 100% fulfilled. Additionally, 21 councilors completed their training out of the targeted 72, marking a 29% impact rate. These results reflect our ongoing commitment to community empowerment, education, and accessible resources.

DOCUMENTS

IMAGE GALLERY

TESTIMONIALS

“Participating in this program has been transformative for me. As a councilor, I always wanted to represent my community more effectively, but I lacked the tools and confidence to fully assert my role. The workshops have equipped me with knowledge about political rights and decision-making processes that I was unaware of before. I now feel more empowered to make impactful decisions and advocate for my community, especially for the women and families who look up to me.”

Amina B, 26

“This initiative has given me a new perspective on my role in local governance. Through the training sessions, I have learned not only about my rights as a councilor but also about my responsibilities in promoting equitable representation. I feel more motivated and confident, knowing that I have the backing of knowledgeable mentors and a community of women facing similar challenges. Together, we are moving towards a more democratic and inclusive future.”

Fatima K, 24

“The program’s focus on political rights and representation is exactly what our community needed. Before, I often felt like my voice was overlooked in meetings and decisions. The skills I have gained have not only increased my self-assurance but also my understanding of fair representation. Now, I feel better prepared to advocate for the needs of all residents, and I am hopeful that our efforts will lead to real, positive change for future generations.”

Nadia S, 23