| . It is as strongly committed to these ideals as it is determined to carry on with its quest for progress and its endeavour to build a project for a truly democratic and modern society. The fact that you have joined us here shows your keen interest in the policy we are implementing to upgrade the status of women in Morocco. However, our effort to achieve comprehensive development and the nation's advancement in political, economic, social and cultural fields, cannot be efficient unless women are involved in this process, and an opportunity is given to all sections of society to get their share of the dividends generated by progress. Pursuing my ancestors' enlightened policy, I have worked relentlessly, ever since my accession to the throne, to enhance the status of Moroccan women and to preserve the rights which our holy religion granted them, thus, putting them on an equal footing with men. As he strongly believed that to achieve real independence, it was necessary to prepare all Moroccans to exercise their rights and fulfil their duties, as well as to contribute to their country's economic and social advancement, my venerable Grandfather, the nation's liberator, His Majesty the late King Mohammed V, God bless his soul, opened school doors to Moroccan girls, thereby giving them access to education and, hence, to knowledge. Continuing the effort initiated to build Morocco as a modern nation, my August Father, his Majesty the late King Hassan II-may his soul rest in peace- enabled women to benefit from education at all levels and encourage them to work and release their energies in all sectors of activity. He appointed them to top positions in the civil service, in the judiciary and in state-owned corporations. He entrusted them with cabinet portfolios and always sought to highlight their capabilities, rigour and integrity. I know it is essential to mobilize women and get them involved in the effort to achieve the targets of economic growth and sustainable development we have set for our country. That is why I took it upon myself to work for the improvement of the status of women, by capitalizing on their achievements and making sure that they enjoy their human, economic and political rights, in this connection, the election of 35 women mps is another positive development in our struggle to build a modern, democratic society. However, notwithstanding the fact that our country has made substantial headway in improving the status of women, we should not forget the difficulties being faced by a large number of women who live on the fringes of society, suffer from exclusion or are denied their rights. We have focused our interest, first, on rural women, the group most effected by the ills of illiteracy and |
