UNICEF regional director expected in Morocco

The UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Ibrahima Fall, is expected to visit Morocco this Nov.19-26 to mark the 10th anniversary of the international convention of children rights.

A UNICEF statement underscored Morocco's efforts to enforce the convention. The children immunization rate which reached 80%, the creation of a body to follow up the convention enforcement, the national observatory of children rights, and the creation of the children parliament are all measures that should be noted, the statement said.

However, UNICEF says, growing education gaps between boys and girls, between the city and the countryside are still obstacles to children basic rights of education, entertainment and expression.

In addition to talks with Moroccan officials in charge of social issues, the UNICEF official will meet persons in charge of UNICEF-sponsored projects.

He will also participate in events scheduled in Morocco to mark the convention 10th anniversary and attend on Saturday the appointment of three Moroccan volunteer UNICEF ambassadors: Nawal al Mutawakil -- former olympic champ -- athletics champ Hicham El Guerrouj --five records holder -- and Rajae Belmelih, singer.