African first ladies hold summit in Marrakesh
Regional, Culture, 4/17/2001

African first ladies will hold a summit meeting in Marrakesh April 20 through 22 under the aegis of King Mohammed VI.

The summit, to be held under the effective chairmanship of Princess Lalla Meriem, the sovereign's sister and chairwoman of the National Observatory of Children's Rights, will debate children-related issues, announced advisor to the sovereign, Ms Zoulikha Nasri, at a news conference here Monday.

She said that 23 African countries have so far confirmed participation in the summit and that some First Ladies would not attend because of heavy agenda.

The summit would focus on the situation of little girls in the continent and ways to improve their living conditions at social, economic and educational scales, Ms Nasri said, adding the encounter will shed light on little girls' sufferings, injustice and edging out.

Secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taieb Fassi Fihri, on his part, said the summit meeting is part of the efforts made by Morocco in preparation for the UN extraordinary session on childhood, slated for next September. He said the participating First Ladies would express African little girls' needs and elaborate projects to integrate them in social-economic development.

Minister in charge of women condition, family and childhood protection and integration of disabled persons, Ms Nouzha Chekrouni, and Minister of human rights, Mohamed Aujjar, recalled the moves made by the government to live up to the commitments contracted at national and international levels, implement the provisions of the world declaration on child's rights and harmonize legislation with international conventions.

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