Through a statement, the ADFM criticizes measures that, in its opinion, do not contribute to improving the conditions of Moroccan women and do not promote gender equality, stressing the absolute need for gender equality for the construction of a social state.
The ADFM fears that the 2024 finance bill, devoid of a gender-sensitive approach, will miss its objective, especially in a context marked by successive crises with a significant impact on the socio-economic conditions of women in Morocco.
While the bill 2024 is considered by the opposition as standard and similar to the previous ones under the Akhannouch government, the Popular Movement (MP) and the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) believe that the executive does not innovate enough to mitigate the cost of living, using conventional solutions to finance social and economic development projects.
In its statement, the ADFM stresses that 17% of Moroccan families are led by women, significantly exposed to inflation and loss of purchasing power, particularly because of the precarious employment and unemployment they face more.
The association also mentions the consequences of the Al Haouz earthquake, which aggravated women and girls’ access to essential services such as health care, education, housing, water, electricity and sanitation.
In addition to these issues, the ADMM denounces the shortcomings in the implementation of the social protection project, stressing that certain categories of women have been excluded from certain measures because of their family situation, the nature of their economic activity and the imprecision of social indicators.
To remedy this situation, the ADMM makes recommendations, including an appropriate application of the direct social support program for families and a reassessment of the eligibility criteria of the Unified Social Register (SRS) to better reflect the real conditions of women, especially those working in the informal sector.
Also, the ADFM calls for placing women’s empowerment at the heart of the PLF 2024, with an emphasis on employment and investment through programs such as “Awrach” and “Forsa”, as well as the operationalization of the “Jisr for Empowerment and Leadership” program aimed at stimulating women’s economic activity.
In addition, the association calls on the government to integrate a gender-sensitive approach into the PLF and to include the gender approach in the planned tax reforms.
The ADFM also insists on the need to adopt a differentiated tariff strategy for commodities as part of the abolition of the compensation fund, taking into account the economic conditions of Moroccan households in general and women in particular.
Finally, the ADFM makes specific demands for the regions impacted by the earthquake of September 8, calling for a gender approach in the operationalization of the reconstruction program and the involvement of inhabitants and civil society.
It also calls for the establishment of basic infrastructure that meets the needs of women in terms of education, health, housing and economic empowerment as part of the 2024-2028 housing assistance program.