Condition of Moroccan women exposed at forum hosted by US first lady
Morocco-USA, Politics, 3/11/2005

The Moroccan experience in the promotion of women's rights was exposed Wednesday in a State Department forum hosted by America's first lady, Laura Bush.

Women from 15 countries in the Middle East, Central Asia, and North Africa were in Washington for the forum to discuss women's rights in the Muslim world and evoke their countries' experiences. The forum, that was marking Women's International Day, was attended by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and women political leaders.

Asmaa Chaabi, president of the Municipal Council of Essaouira (southern Atlantic city), highlighted at the forum the different steps made by Moroccan women to become an active actor in Morocco's development process.

She said efforts are still ongoing to further promote women's role as a main partner in building a modern and democratic society.

Cha‰bi also highlighted Moroccan women's participation in the country's economic, political and social development, as well as their contribution in the peace-making process and politics.

A special focus was made on the Family Law (Moudawana) approved by the Moroccan parliament in January 2004 to promote the rights of women in the society. The Law was considered an important breakthrough in the democratic process in Morocco as it granted more rights to women and made them equals in rights and duties to men.

Many participants considered that Morocco should serve as example to other Arab and Moslem countries in the promotion of women's rights, Chaabi told MAP.

On the fringes of the forum, the Moroccan official informed the first lady and the Secretary of State, during private talks, on the rights advances achieved in favor of Moroccan women.

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