Rachida Chellal recognized for empowering women in New York

Thursday 20 March 2025 - 12:37

By: Zahouani Ilham

Rachida Chellal recognized for empowering women in New York

Rachida Chellal, the president of the Moroccan American House Association (MAHA), was honored on Wednesday in New York by the Society of Foreign Consuls (SOFC) for her commitment to women's empowerment within the greater New York metropolitan area.

Founded in 1925, the SOFC represents the consular corps in New York, the largest diplomatic community in the world. The organization focuses on promoting cultural and economic relations, particularly with the American metropolis and among its member countries.

During a ceremony held at the Consulate General of India in New York, Chellal received a certificate of recognition, alongside several other women representing 14 countries. These women were acknowledged for their dedication to advancing women's and girls' rights and their empowerment across various fields.

Amir Farid Abu Al Hassan, the president of SOFC and the Consul General of Malaysia in New York, addressed the ceremony, noting that the event honored women who demonstrated perseverance and selflessness in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.

As the head of MAHA, an association focused on the integration and preservation of Moroccan culture, Chellal has been actively involved in community services that support the empowerment of newly arrived immigrant women in New York, particularly in the Brooklyn area.

She has initiated campaigns, awareness programs, and training sessions designed to help immigrant women integrate into American society and adapt to the host country's culture.

In a statement to MAP, Chellal expressed her pride in the recognition, which she believes highlights the active role of the Moroccan community, especially women, in the United States. She also saw it as an acknowledgment of the values of mutual respect, solidarity, and otherness that define her homeland, Morocco.

The event, held on International Women's Day, was attended by several notable figures, including Abdelkader Jamoussi, the Consul General of Morocco in New York, Binay Pradhan, the Consul of India, as well as other diplomats and personalities.