Geneva: CNDH holds a private interactive meeting with the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

On Monday 20 June 2022, in Geneva, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) held a private interactive meeting with the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee).

The CNDH delegation was led by Mrs. Amina Bouayach, CNDH President, and composed of Mrs. Fatima Aarach, President of the Regional Human Rights Commission of Draa-Tafilalet (CRDH), Director of the CNDH Chairperson Cabinet and Director of Cooperation and International Relations at the CNDH.

On this occasion, the CNDH Chairperson shed light on the most important normative, constitutional, legal and institutional developments of the situation of women's and girls' rights in Morocco since the submission of the last national report in 2008. She particularly referred to the treaty practice in Morocco as well as the Constitution provisions related to parity, the adoption of a law to combat violence against women, and the new legal provisions relating to political participation of women specially those related to elections.

Mrs. Bouayach also identified several challenges still facing women’s and girls’ rights, particularly with regard to the abolition of child marriage, protection from various forms of violence against women, promotion of political participation and access to justice, as well as cultural challenges that sometimes prevent the promotion of women's rights.

At this meeting, the CNDH delegation presented several actions and initiatives undertaken in the field of protecting and promoting women's rights. This concern, inter alia, complaint handling, monitoring and reporting, awareness raising, human rights education and cooperation with institutional and non-institutional actors. The President also recalled the recommendations made by the CNDH, with a view to improving the situation of women's and girls' rights in Morocco. Besides, the CNDH shared with the CEDAW Committee the recommendations that it may consider in its engagement with the government of Morocco.

The CNDH submitted two parallel reports to the United Nations CEDAW Committee. The first one was presented with a view to develop the list of issues, while the second one was submitted as a contribution to prepare the concluding observations.

The Council will participate in a second meeting with the CEDAW Committee with the participation of NGOs. It will also take part in the interactive dialogue between the CEDAW Committee and the government.