Highlighting the Role of Youth and Women in Political Life
On Saturday, August 15, 2026, the RIF Cinema hall in Meknes hosted a significant communication seminar organized by the regional coordination of the Social Center Party under the banner: **“Youth and Women… Essential Pillars in Political Life and Future Building.”** The event witnessed the attendance of several members from the party's political bureau, as well as coordinators from the Fes-Meknes region, alongside a substantial presence of party activists.
This gathering served as a vital platform to emphasize the importance of engaging with youth and women's issues, recognizing them as fundamental components of society and crucial elements in renewing the political landscape while enhancing public participation in governance.
The seminar was chaired by the Secretary-General of the Social Center Party, Professor Lahcen Madi, who concluded the event by announcing the official endorsement of Dr. Khalid Zewain as the party's candidate for the Meknes constituency, and Ms. Karima Ben Azzouz as the party's candidate for the Fes-Meknes region, in preparation for the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for September 23.
Challenges and Opportunities for Youth and Women
In a statement made on the sidelines of the meeting, Dr. Khalid Zewain explained that the seminar represented an opportunity for direct communication with party activists and local community stakeholders, fostering a discussion on issues concerning youth and women and their roles in political and social spheres. He highlighted that focusing on youth and women reflects the party's concern with real challenges, notably the difficulties faced by young people related to education, professional integration, and participation in decision-making processes. Dr. Zewain noted that the persistence of these challenges could drive some youth, including those with qualifications, to seek risky solutions such as irregular migration. He urged political actors to take responsibility by providing guidance, raising awareness, and proposing realistic alternatives.
Dr. Zewain asserted that enhancing political culture among the youth and informing them of their rights and responsibilities is, in the party's view, an essential gateway to nurturing a generation capable of conscious participation, shouldering responsibilities, and contributing to future development. Regarding women's issues, he pointed to ongoing marginalization that hinders full and effective participation, attributing some of these obstacles to social and cultural mindsets that still limit women's presence in various fields. He called for effective support for women to ensure their rights, bolster their presence in the labor market and investment arenas, and facilitate access to funding while protecting their initiatives from exploitation.
The speaker emphasized that investing in and politically and socially empowering youth and women could serve as a catalyst for real transformation within society. He insisted that participation in political life is not merely a privilege or a marginal choice but a collective responsibility driven by citizenship. He cautioned against the consequences of political apathy, clarifying that citizens who distance themselves from the selection of their representatives leave room for others to make decisions that may not necessarily reflect their expectations and interests.
Addressing the party's vision for political work, Dr. Zewain noted that the Social Center Party is committed to a political practice based on integrity, transparency, and closeness to citizens, steering clear of rhetoric that lacks real-world translation. He underscored that actual outcomes should be the true measure of politicians' performance. He questioned the tangible impact of political practice on citizens' daily lives, arguing that the absence of concrete results undermines the essence of political work and risks turning it into a means of serving private interests instead of achieving the public good.
In discussing the future of party work, Dr. Zewain emphasized the party's intention to broaden its engagement with youth, rooted in the belief that Morocco's future depends on the new generation's ability to participate in public affairs and assume responsibilities. He added that a successful politician should not be measured by their tenure in office but by their capacity to prepare a new generation to take on responsibilities and continue the path of reform and development, warning against turning political responsibility into a personal goal rather than a means to serve citizens.
Dr. Khalid Zewain concluded his remarks by expressing pride in the trust placed in him by the party's Secretary-General, Professor Lahcen Madi, through his endorsement as the party's candidate in the Meknes constituency. He affirmed that, if elected, he would advocate for citizens' issues and contribute to addressing the challenges at hand.
He emphasized that politics should not remain confined to slogans and speeches but must evolve into daily practices that yield tangible results felt by citizens in their lives, as the value of political work is measured by its real-world achievements rather than what is proclaimed on platforms.
It is worth noting that Dr. Khalid Zewain is a pharmacist with over 35 years of professional experience in pharmacy, health policy, and pharmaceuticals, during which he has accumulated extensive scientific and practical experience. He boasts a diverse professional and academic background, combining clinical pharmacy, herbal medicine, and academic research. Currently, he serves as the President of the National Council of the National Union of Pharmacists of Morocco.
Politically, Dr. Zewain has significant experience, including serving as a former member of the local council in Meknes from 2009 to 2015. In the union sphere, he has previously held various national and union responsibilities, including President of the Pharmacists Syndicate of Meknes and a member of the National Federation of Pharmacists' Syndicates of Morocco, along with past membership in the Federal Council of the National Federation of Pharmacists' Syndicates of Morocco.
Dr. Zewain believes that the upcoming phase requires competencies that blend professional experience, national commitment, and proximity to citizens to advocate for health, development, and social justice issues within the legislative institution.
As reported by casaoui.ma.
