عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Morocco Seeks Greater Participation of Women in 2021 Elections

Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit (AFP)
Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit (AFP)
TT
TT

Morocco Seeks Greater Participation of Women in 2021 Elections

Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit (AFP)
Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit (AFP)

Morocco’s Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit said that women’s political representation has not yet reached the required level in the country.

Laftit remarks came in a meeting held Tuesday with women’s organizations as part of preparations for the 2021 elections, during which he highlighted women’s prominent contribution to the political action in the Kingdom.

He said concerted efforts would ensure a significant and fair representation of women in the 2021 legislative and municipal elections.

Before the 2016 legislative elections, Moroccan women were hoping to raise their representation in parliament to at least one third, pending a parity that may take a long time.

However, a recent amendment on the House of Representative’s regulatory law was approved by the Interior Ministry and allowed an increase of only 15 additional seats for women in the next parliament.

It divided the 30-seats for youth in the national list between males and females to be added to the 60 seats authorized for women.

During the 2016 elections, women’s representation increased to 81, or 20.5 percent, out of 395 MPs, 60 were elected from the national list, nine from local lists, and 12 from the youth list.

Meanwhile, women’s representation in municipalities increased from 12 percent to 27 percent during the last elections and from 2.9 percent to 37 percent at the regional level, while the rate of municipalities headed by women did not exceed one percent.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
TT
TT

Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Thursday called on major powers to “exert greater efforts to end the war in Palestine and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, an Iraqi government official urged the United States to “prevent any attacks on the country,” referring to potential Israeli strikes.
During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al-Sudani stressed the importance of ensuring the conflict does not escalate “to a level that threatens regional and global stability.”
The Iraqi prime minister’s appeal comes amid reports suggesting that Israel may launch strikes on Iraq in retaliation for attacks by Iraqi armed factions targeting Israeli positions.
The Iraqi government is striving to assert its exclusive authority over weapons and war-related decisions. However, armed factions affiliated with the Axis of Resistance openly claim responsibility for near-daily rocket attacks on Israel. This has provided Israel with a justification for potentially targeting Iraqi territory, especially after it filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against six Iraqi factions and held Baghdad responsible for the attacks.
These factions have also openly declared their involvement in the ongoing conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza. The Iraqi government has been unable to take decisive action to halt the activities of these factions, which many believe could soon expose Iraq to an Israeli strike.
According to media reports, Washington has warned Baghdad that Israeli airstrikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless the Iraqi government curtails attacks by Iranian-backed factions on Israel. The Times of Israel cited sources indicating that the United States has “exhausted all means of pressure on Israel” and urged Iraq to act swiftly to prevent such attacks.
Despite repeated assurances from the Iraqi government—including its recent adoption of 12 measures by the National Security Council to counter Israeli threats and complaints—the situation remains tense. These measures include monitoring Iraq’s western borders, preventing factions from launching attacks, and maintaining Iraq’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah, made a striking statement on the role of resistance factions in the war and their commitment to the Unity of Fronts doctrine frequently mentioned by Axis of Resistance groups.
In an interview published by the faction’s media arm, Al-Hamidawi said: “The continuity of the Unity of Fronts concept depends on what the Lebanese Hezbollah decides.”
Al-Hamidawi also emphasized that resistance factions are constantly coordinating internally and with external partners such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Palestinian resistance leaders.
“We aim to ensure that the Palestinian people are not left alone and that the Unity of Fronts remains intact,” he stated.
Fadi Al-Shammari, a political advisor to Sudani, reiterated that Israel’s threats “are not new,” citing the recent complaint filed by Israel with the UN Security Council as part of its pattern of issuing threats.
In media statements, Al-Shammari reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s long-standing position: “The decision of war and peace lies solely with the Iraqi government.”
He noted that the factions’ attacks are being launched from areas outside Iraq’s borders, specifically from Syria. However, he stressed that the Iraqi government is working through its security and military agencies to prevent Iraq from becoming a battlefield for external or internal parties.
Al-Shammari also called on the United States to fulfill its responsibilities under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with Iraq, emphasizing the need to deter and respond to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.