Morocco: EU contributes 497 million dirhams for gender equality.

This program  which has a budget of 45 million euros, has benefited from EU financial support of 497 million dirhams. It aims,among other things, to "contribute to improving the promotion of equality and equity between women and men in Morocco," "better legal protection of women", "greater representation of women decision-making positions "and" the development of sectoral policies and programs that contribute to gender equality ".

On the occasion of signing the financing agreement, the EU ambassador to Morocco welcomed the launch of the government plan for equality which is spread over 48 months, Au Fait reports.

"I welcome the launch of this program that we support, and which demonstrates the continuity of the government's commitment on this issue and its willingness to undertake its implementation. I note with satisfaction that, as with the European Union, the promotion of equality between women and men, is a political priority for the Moroccan government ... "

Minister for Solidarity, Women, Family and Social Development Bassima Hakkaoui, said that this government plan aims to achieve gender equality that is "consistent with the values ​​of civilization and family of Moroccan society." Ms. Hakkaoui added that the Constitution states that "the men and women enjoy equal human rights and freedoms of a civil, political, economic, social,cultural and environmental."

The Minister stressed that the government plan for equality is also based on Morocco's commitments to achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and implement the provisions of international conventions in this field.

Different ministries: Justice, Economy and Finance, Communications, Modernization of public sectors and the Interior are also partners in the government plan for equality  $ 45 million, which receives 38 million euro budget support, 2 million for grants to civil society and € 5 million for technical cooperation.