Literacy key to better conditions for Moroccan women, official

Improving the situation of Moroccan women can only be achieved through fighting illiteracy, secretary of state in charge of literacy and informal education, Najima Rhozali, said in Marrakesh on Saturday.

Speaking at a forum on economic development on the sidelines of the World Women Forum, Rhozali said the situation in Morocco raises serious concerns since amidst the persons aged more than 10 years, 48 percent are illiterate and 2 million children are unschooled.

Twelve million persons in Morocco are illiterate, she said, adding that Moroccan women are particularly affected by the phenomenon with a rate of 62 percent compared to 38 percent for men, and that rural areas are more affected than urban areas.

The short-run objective of the state secretariat in charge of literacy and informal education is to downsize illiteracy rate from 48 percent to 35 percent by 2004, she said, adding the long-run goal is to reach a zero percent rate by 2015.