Three years after Morocco's initial adoption of its National Action Plan (NAP) regarding the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, the Policy Center for the New South has published a comprehensive evaluation that highlights both the achievements and the shortcomings of the plan. The report, authored by Ambassador Nouzha Chekrouni and titled ‘From Commitment to Impact: Morocco’s NAP 1325 Tested by Implementation,’ reveals notable institutional advancements while simultaneously uncovering persistent structural challenges. It advocates for a more robust second phase of the plan, aiming to transform stated aspirations into quantifiable outcomes.
On a positive note, since March 2022, Morocco has seen a gradual increase in women’s representation within the Royal Armed Forces, aligning with the United Nations’ 2018-2028 parity strategy. The country's proactive involvement in the African Union’s Group of Friends addressing the interconnection between climate change and the WPS agenda is commendable. Moreover, Morocco has bolstered its network of women mediators, establishing connections with their Mediterranean, African, and Arab counterparts. The implementation of the Moussalaha deradicalization program further underscores the political will at the institutional level to empower women.
Despite these advancements, the study identifies four critical structural barriers that hinder the effectiveness of the plan. Firstly, the participation of women in the labor force remains stagnant at a mere 19.1 percent, marking one of the lowest rates globally. Secondly, women account for less than 3 percent of Moroccan peacekeeping troops deployed under United Nations missions. Additionally, existing deradicalization programs are inadequately tailored to address the unique experiences of women. Finally, the NAP's strategic framework fails to incorporate essential factors such as climate change, migration, and digital transformation, all of which directly impact women’s security and their role in peacebuilding initiatives.
The recommendations provided for the second cycle of the NAP are both practical and strategically sequenced. It is proposed that the steering committee be allocated sufficient human and financial resources, along with a reinforced mandate for monitoring and evaluation. Establishing a structured consultation mechanism with civil society is crucial for enhancing accountability. The introduction of sex-disaggregated indicators, categorized by region and context, would help shift from a declarative to a results-oriented approach. Furthermore, setting a target of 10 percent representation of Moroccan women in UN peacekeeping missions by 2028 is a vital goal. Integrating the concept of positive masculinities into national educational curricula is suggested as a long-term investment in fostering a culture of gender equality.
Ambassador Chekrouni emphasizes that the ongoing extension of the first NAP presents a pivotal opportunity to effectively lay the groundwork for the subsequent plan. She posits that governance concerning the WPS agenda should be restructured around three fundamental principles: accountability, inter-ministerial coordination, and sustainable financing. Civil society, which played a crucial role in the formulation of the first plan, must be institutionalized as a formal and independent participant in the monitoring and evaluation process of the second cycle, ensuring that they are not merely consulted but empowered to validate progress.
As reported by northafricapost.com.
