Over 20,000 violence acts against women between 1995 and 1997

More than 20,000 cases of violence against women were reported in Morocco in the period between 1995 and 1997, said Moroccan secretary of state in charge of social protection, family and children, Mohamed Said Saadi.

The official told MAP there were 11,990 violence acts against women inside the family and another 8,700 cases in society in this period.

Saadi said these figures show only the cases that were reported to security forces and there are a lot more, as women are often reluctant to report these cases.

The secretary of state whose department is sponsoring a national campaign to control violence targeting women (November 24-December 10) said there are other forms of violence such as prostitution which involves 28,845 reported cases in the last three years.

He explained that the information campaign seeks to promote knowledge among the public opinion on the danger of this phenomenon that harms women's dignity and stops their participation in the country's development process.

He added that the campaign will promote awareness on all forms of violence: in the family, in the street, verbal, physical and psychological violence.

For the Moroccan official, violence is the result of deteriorating economic conditions of lower social layers, illiteracy, development of the consumer society and effects of international media and foreign cultures that shake the stability of Moroccan family and favor the upsurge of violence.

The action program to be set forth on the occasion of the awareness campaign encompass information, legal aspects and assisting centers that receive victims of violence.

Regarding legal aspects, he said the public will be informed on some legal amendments that protect the physical and psychological dignity of women and sanction violence against women and girls. He added that there will also be legal action against sexual harassment.

The awareness campaign features events coordinated by non-governmental organizations, ministries and other departments (justice, police). Women associations and centers assisting women victims of violence acts will hold a court against violence targeting women.