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 poverty, two issues I firmly believe are at the heart of human rights, just as they may constitute structural obstacles to democracy. We are also endeavouring to rid women of all the forms of injustice they are subjected to, and we seek to upgrade the existing legislation, taking into account the fact that women have shown a keen awareness of their rights and obligations, and that Morocco has made significant progress in all fields, thus, as Amir al Muminin, defender of the faith and its followers, I have set up a special committee and instructed its members to pay heed and carefully examine all the grievances voiced by women's associations and by all the forces that make up the lifeblood of the nation, and to make recommendations to me on mechanisms and procedures needed to ensure proper implementation of the Mudawana family code. They were also instructed to make suggestions concerning amendments which could be introduced therein and which should be in line with our identity and with the teachings of our religion. In this connection, there should be special 'emphasis on family cohesion and social harmony. Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to stress the importance of this forum which reflects the progress achieved by women throughout the world in the field of management. But beyond this, it shows how keen you are to join others in reflecting on problems of international dimensions. Thanks to you, this gathering, the thirteenth of its kind, is acting as a moderator in a universal think-tank.
The Global Summit of Women is structured around the concept of corporate business, its functions, its management, its production methods, and its information and marketing systems. It has established itself as a forum for sharing best practices on how to increase women's participation in the world market. As it cannot ignore the business environment, the liberalization of markets, and the constraints of competitiveness, this forum has begun to address development-related problems from a wholistic perspective, making sure that its discussions encompass issues such as women's participation in the democratic process, governance efficiency and the removal of obstacles hindering the exercise of the right to development. |
