Moroccan Child Psychiatrist Honored with Inaugural UN Distinction for Mental Health Advocacy

Friday 25 October 2024 - 08:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Moroccan Child Psychiatrist Honored with Inaugural UN Distinction for Mental Health Advocacy

Ghizlane Benjelloun has been named the 2024 "UN Personality in Morocco" by the United Nations Development System (SNUD), recognizing her exceptional dedication to advancing children's mental health. The announcement, made in Rabat on United Nations Day, marks the first-ever recipient of this prestigious distinction.

Benjelloun, who serves as vice-president of the National Observatory for Children's Rights (ONDE), has established herself as a prominent voice in children's mental healthcare. As a professor of child psychiatry and head of the child psychiatry department at Ibn Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca, she brings both clinical expertise and academic rigor to her advocacy work.

UN Resident Coordinator in Morocco, Nathalie Fustier, highlighted the significance of Benjelloun's contributions, noting that "Today's children are tomorrow's actors, bearers of hope and change for a better future." The recognition aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and celebrates exemplary civic engagement.

Upon receiving the honor, Benjelloun dedicated the recognition to fellow advocates for children's rights, emphasizing that societal progress depends on prioritizing youth mental health in development initiatives.

Her influence extends beyond Morocco through her involvement with several international organizations, including the International Bureau for Children's Rights and the European Association of Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. She also contributes to "The Cause of Babies," an international organization dedicated to early childhood development.

Benjelloun's academic credentials include membership in the Scientific Council and Monitoring Committee of the Lalla Meryem Academic Chair for Women and Children at Mohammed V University in Rabat. She also serves on the board of the National Union of Moroccan Women, further strengthening her role in advocating for comprehensive child welfare.

The formal certificate presentation will be conducted by Nathalie Fustier and Eric Falt, Regional Director of the UNESCO Office for the Maghreb, cementing this milestone in Morocco's commitment to children's mental health advancement.