King proved that political will decisive to advance democracy, woman activist
Morocco, Politics, 4/29/2005

Morocco's King Mohammed VI gave evidence that political will is decisive to advance democracy and human rights, and to ensure a better future to all the Moroccan people, said Latifa Jbabdi, chairwoman of Feminine Action Union (UAF).

Jbabdi, who was handed here on Tuesday the "Political Participation Award" of the American "Vital Voices" NGO, paid tribute, in the name of all Moroccan women, to King Mohammed VI whose political will was crucial in the breakthrough made in the promotion of women rights in Morocco.

The Vital Voice honour is a tribute "not only to me, but also to all Moroccan women who engaged in a long and hard fight, and who are reaping the fruits of the struggle with the passage of the family code which upholds equality between women and men."

The honour also acknowledges Moroccan efforts to build democracy and ensure freedom in the process of the protection of human and women rights, she said, stressing that in Morocco investment in women is seen as investment in the future. She recalled that the number of women sitting in Parliament has jumped to 35 instead of two, which is a "giant step" regarding equality between men and women.

Jbabdi said the Moroccan experience is evidence that democracy is possible in Arab and Moslem countries and that "Islam is by no means in contradiction with the promotion of women rights and the universal values of human rights."

Elizabeth Cheney, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, who handed the honour to Jbabdi, said Morocco is at the vanguard of the region countries in democratic reforms and freedom matters.

The Human Rights and Anti-Trafficking Award went to Mu Sochua, Cambodia, the Economic Opportunity Award to Jaya Arunachalam, India, while the Fern Holland Award went to the Women of Ukraine.

More than 500 "Vital Voices" supporters gathered at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday to celebrate Vital Voices Global Partnership's fifth anniversary and to honour the 2005 Global Leadership Award recipients, extraordinary women who are pioneers of political, social, and economic advancement in their countries.

Several political, diplomatic, cultural and art personalities notably former US First Lady, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, former US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright and Republican Senator of Texas, Kay Bailey Hutchison attended the prize-giving ceremony.

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