Speaking on this occasion, HRH Lalla Meryem paid tribute to Moroccan women for their endeavour and efforts on the path of safeguarding social and human rights achievements.

On the same occasion, the Princess paid tribute to late Princesses Lalla Fatima Zahra, Lalla Aicha and Lalla Amina for their commitment and devotion to women rights as well as for their actions benefiting children and people with special needs.

HRH Princess Lalla Meryem also recalled the devotion of Late Lalla Oum Kaltoum in accomplishing the tasks assigned to her as President-delegate of the UNFM.

For her part, Farida Khamlichi, Advisor at the UNFM, said that the organisation of this event aims at drawing a clear and coherent vision to promote the culture of non-violence against women.

She said that the awareness raising campaigns have had an impact in reinforcing the protection of women against all forms of discrimination, adding that other challenges are yet to be addressed.

In this respect, Khamlichi pointed out to the need of tackling two issues that are behind violence against women, namely cultural heritage and the intellectual situation of women.

Speaking on the same occasion, Minister for solidarity, women, family and social development, Bassima Hakkaoui said that violence against women is a complicated issue that the government is trying to address by renewing its approach.

The government, she said, is tackling the issue through education, awareness raising, institutional mechanisms and the updating of the legal framework.

In the same vein, UN Women Representative of the Multi-Country Office for the Maghreb, Leila Rhiwi shed light on the UN’s efforts to fight violence against women focusing on a strategy that "includes efficient preventive actions that treat the root causes of gender inequality."

President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) Nizar Baraka said that the CESE recommended the adoption of a participatory approach in order to curb discrimination and achieve equality, noting in this regard the creation of an authority for parity and the fight against all forms of discrimination. 

This body will work within society to ensure respect for gender equality in different fields, he explained.

The Secretary General for the Rabita Mohammadia des Ouléma, Ahmed Abbadi, gave on this occasion an overview of some historical and cultural origins of violence against women and highlighted the efforts led by his institute to address this issue.

In this regards, he mentioned the training of Ulema (Muslim scholars) in the field of women rights and the gender approach.