Promoting Democratic Governance and Citizen Participation through Strengthening Gender Approaches in Tétouan

Gender equality is a fundamental right and a necessary condition for the achievement of sustainable development goals. However, gender inequalities persist in many areas of life, including politics, economics, education, and health. In Morocco, women’s representation in public office is still low, and there is a need to promote gender-responsive policies and practices.

To address this issue, the Association ATIL and the Commune of Tétouan in Morocco, with the technical support of   PVE for Peace, implemented a project titled “Promouvoir la gouvernance démocratique et la participation citoyenne par le renforcement des capacités des instances collectives de conseil” implemented by IOM in collaboration with ATIL and funded by USAID . The project aimed to strengthen the gender approach in Tétouan by supporting the Commune and the Instance of Equity, Equal Opportunities, and Gender Approach (IEECAG) in the development of a specific action plan on gender.

The project had four main objectives:

1. Support the Instance of IEECAG and the Commune of Tétouan in developing an individual action plan focused on gender.
2. Develop a gender barometer to ensure that the communal action plan takes into account the gender approach.
3. Develop the final version of the gender barometer based on the recommendations and proposals of the IEECAG.
4. Build the capacity of employees of the Commune of Tétouan and members of the IEECAG in using the gender barometer effectively in the design, implementation, and evaluation of local policies.

To achieve these objectives, the PVE for Peace facilitated several activities, including:

1. Organize a seminar with members of the IEECAG, and other relevant actors to gather their suggestions on gender-related indicators to be included in the gender barometers.
2. Support the IEECAG in developing a gender action plan that will complement the communal action plan.
3. Develop a  local gender barometer.
4. Organize a consultation meeting to present the first draft of the gender barometer and gather suggestions and recommendations from local actors.
5. Organize a three-day training to present the final version of the local gender barometer and how to use it in the process of building, implementing, and evaluating  local public policies.

Overall, the project aimed to promote gender equality and empower women in the Commune of Tétouan. By strengthening the capacity of the IEECAG and the Commune, the project intended to develop gender-responsive policies and practices that would help to address gender inequalities in the region.