The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Morocco are strengthening their cooperation on several key priorities related to human rights, health, and gender equality, with a strong focus on field interventions and support for public policies.
This was highlighted by Alfonso Barragues, deputy director of the UNFPA liaison office, on Tuesday 23 June in Geneva, following a meeting with the interministerial delegate for human rights, El Habib Belkouch, on the sidelines of the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council.
Key areas of this partnership include improving maternal health and reducing pregnancy- and childbirth-related mortality. UNFPA also aims to bolster efforts against violence toward women and girls, as well as practices harmful to their rights, notably early marriage.
The programme places significant emphasis on expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services. For Alfonso Barragues, the goal is to ensure equitable coverage across the entire country, bringing these services closer to communities through a strengthened network of healthcare facilities. “Women and girls must have access to health services, including sexual and reproductive health, throughout the country—not only in hospitals but also at primary healthcare centres,” he stressed.
Beyond sectoral issues, UNFPA supports Moroccan institutions in designing and implementing public policies. This assistance is provided to several ministries, including those of Education, Health, and Social Protection. Alfonso Barragues noted that the organisation is committed to “assisting relevant ministries in formulating and implementing public policies,” confirming a transversal and integrated approach.
A partnership grounded in the field
This cooperation is based on the strong belief that the real impact of public policies depends on their implementation at the local level. UNFPA reaffirms its commitment alongside women’s and youth organisations, in close collaboration with Moroccan authorities.
In this context, the partnership with the Interministerial Delegation for Human Rights (DIDH) follows a logic of monitoring and implementing international recommendations, turning commitments into concrete actions on the ground. “For us, the partnership with DIDH is a strategic partnership,” Barragues added, illustrating UNFPA’s intent to engage in a long-term dynamic with Morocco for the promotion and effective realisation of human rights.
