Strengthening Child Protection in Morocco: Introducing a Unified Territorial Mechanism

In a significant step towards fortifying child protection measures, Morocco recently witnessed the signing of a landmark accord during a ceremonial event held in Rabat, coinciding with National Child Day celebrations. This groundbreaking agreement aims to establish a "territorial mechanism for the care of children in precarious situations," emphasizing the nation's steadfast commitment to safeguarding the well-being of its youngest citizens.

The protocol, with profound implications across the entire Moroccan territory, was jointly signed by Aawatif Hayar, Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family, El Hassan Daki, President of the Public Prosecutor's Office, and representatives from various ministerial departments. Its core objective is to enhance coordination among all stakeholders involved in child protection, ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive approach.

Presided over by representatives from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the signing ceremony heralded a new era of enhanced protection for children in vulnerable circumstances. At the heart of this initiative lies the development of a guiding document that delineates the intricate process of caring for this segment of the population, fostering a more streamlined and effective support system.

The event, hosted by the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family in partnership with the Public Prosecutor's Office and with the invaluable backing of UNICEF, served as a platform to unveil the second National Executive Program of the Integrated Public Policy for Child Protection 2023-2026. This comprehensive blueprint meticulously outlines the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services tailored to the unique needs of every child, contingent upon their specific situation.

Notably, the protocol encompasses a wide array of vulnerable categories, including children grappling with challenging circumstances, abandoned minors, those subjected to neglect, violence, exploitation, and early marriage. Moreover, it extends its protective embrace to children in conflict with the law and those who have fallen victim to criminal acts, irrespective of their nationality, underscoring Morocco's commitment to upholding the rights of all minors within its borders.

In her poignant address, Minister Hayar underscored the collective mobilization of all stakeholders – the government, associations, children, and territorial actors – in this pivotal endeavor. She further highlighted her ministry's unwavering dedication within the framework of the "GISR for Inclusive, Innovative and Sustainable Social Development" strategy, emphasizing its continuous outreach to national and international partners to contribute to the realization of the Kingdom's initiatives aimed at promoting children's rights.

Reflecting on the ministry's achievements, Hayar cited the nationwide implementation of integrated territorial mechanisms for child protection across all provinces, with the ultimate goal of establishing an inclusive system capable of shielding children from all forms of violence, exploitation, and neglect.

While acknowledging the notable strides made, the minister acknowledged the persisting challenges and constraints that necessitate a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including governmental mechanisms, national institutions and bodies, civil society, and territorial communities. The overarching objective, she affirmed, is to reinforce the convergence of policies and programs, thereby contributing to the strengthening of the social state's mechanisms.

El Hassan Daki, the Prosecutor General of the King's Court of Cassation and President of the Public Prosecutor's Office, underscored the pivotal role played by national laws in bolstering the protection of children's rights. He commended the adoption of an integrated public policy in this realm, aimed at promoting social norms of protection and reinforcing territorial bodies tasked with safeguarding minors.

Daki further highlighted the judicial services' concerted efforts to facilitate children's access to legal protection, irrespective of the circumstances that brought them into contact with the law. He cited the strengthened roles of women and children's reception units in all courts across the Kingdom, as well as the pivotal function of regional and local commissions in coordinating with various governmental and non-governmental departments involved in child protection.

Addressing the "territorial mechanism for the care of children in precarious situations," Daki elucidated that this initiative takes into account all stages a child in need of protection may encounter, starting with prevention as an essential mechanism to avert potential conflicts with the law.

Echoing the collective commitment, Chakib Benmoussa, Minister of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, underscored his department's active engagement in implementing government policies and programs related to child protection. He emphasized the ministry's contribution to upholding all children's rights enshrined in the United Nations Convention, particularly concerning education, training, and health. Benmoussa expressed confidence that the establishment of a unified national mechanism for child care would enhance the services provided to minors and guarantee their rights.

Complementing these efforts, Younes Sekkouri, Minister of Economic Integration, Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Skills, highlighted the significance of this mechanism in facilitating the economic integration of children once they reach the legal age.

Aligning with this vision, Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, affirmed, through a statement read by Kaoutar Mansouri, Director of Childhood and Women's Affairs at the Ministry of Youth, that this gathering served as an opportunity to reaffirm Morocco's commitment to promoting children's rights. It also allowed for an assessment of the implementation of national policies and programs in this domain, while reinforcing the Kingdom's achievements in this realm.

Speciose Hakizimana, the UNICEF representative, hailed the occasion as a pivotal juncture in the process of strengthening the national child protection system. She commended the relevance of the integrated policy for child protection, its national executive program, and the overarching protocol for the care of children in precarious situations or in contact with the law.

Through this groundbreaking initiative, Morocco takes a resolute stride towards fortifying its child protection mechanisms, ensuring that no child is left behind and that their well-being remains a paramount priority. By fostering a unified territorial framework, the nation reinforces its commitment to upholding the rights and safeguarding the future of its most precious asset – its children.