Humphrey alumni launch global policy series in Morocco, focusing on growth, health, and rights

The Humphrey Alumni Global Policy Series organised by the Moroccan-American Commission for Educational and cultural exchange kicked off today in Rabat. This annual event, organised in different countries, brings together alumni of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program to discuss pressing global issues and explore opportunities for collaboration. 

Ahmed Reda Chami, President of the Economic and Social Council (CESE) was one of the key speakers at the Humphrey Alumni Global Policy Series, outlining key areas for Morocco to prioritise to ensure sustained economic growth and development.

Chami highlighted Morocco’s impressive progress in recent years, including improved infrastructure, human rights advancements, and a resilient economy. 

Chami said that while GDP growth is encouraging, ensuring equitable wealth distribution and creating quality jobs remains a challenge.

Chami identified human capital development as a key priority, requiring a focus on education and skills training. 

The CESE president also emphasised social cohesion and inclusion, as all Moroccans must feel valued and part of the nation’s progress. 

Chami highlighted the need for regional sustainable development by leveraging Morocco’s diverse potential, including natural resources, tourism, geographic advantages, and internal economic activities.

Despite these strengths, challenges persist. Administrative and bureaucratic hurdles hinder investments, and digitization efforts require acceleration. 

Chami also stressed the importance of a well-considered economic framework, including taxation, and the need to invest in human capital development through education. 

Building an inclusive society requires providing social protection and empowering women, as their current participation in the workforce is low.

This year’s edition saw the gathering of a panel of health experts who discussed the challenges and opportunities facing Morocco’s healthcare system. 

The experts focused on the need for improved access, affordability, and quality of care, particularly in rural areas.

Tarik Rhandour, Head of the Department of the Regional Health Observatory in Fez, emphasised the critical role of mobile health services in reaching underserved rural populations. 

He pointed to a 2015 plan to reconstruct public health facilities and the implementation of teleservices as crucial steps in preventing rural residents from travelling long distances for specialised care.

Rhandour said that the health care sector is improving in Morocco, referring to the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Khalid Ait Taleb, who recently inaugurated nine healthcare facilities in the Fez-Meknes region. 

These facilities, including three urban and rural health centres in Taounate Province, a primary-level rural health centre, and two rural dispensaries in Taza Province, are part of broader efforts to enhance healthcare provision in the region.

Ikram Chentaf, Advisor to the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health, addressed the imbalance between public and private sector investments in healthcare. 

Chentaf said that while the private sector played a vital role during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

She advocated for strategies that leverage the strengths of both sectors. This includes investing in human resources and training in the public sector, as well as implementing regulations to ensure affordability in the private sector.

Chentaf’s remarks were supported by Khadija El Hajjaoui, a Public Health Professional at the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. 

El Hajjaoui highlighted the health strategy for 2025, which aims to improve access to healthcare, strengthen national health programs, combat diseases, enhance governance, and achieve efficiency in resource utilisation.

Despite these efforts, access to healthcare remains a significant challenge for many Moroccans. 

Only 62% of the population has health coverage, and families often bear a substantial portion of healthcare expenses. The low ratio of medical staff and uneven distribution of services across regions further exacerbate these issues.

The experts concluded that there is a need for a multifaceted approach to address Morocco’s healthcare challenges. 

This strategy, according to the experts, should involve expanding access to healthcare through mobile services, facility reconstruction, and teleservices, balancing public and private sector investments for improved affordability and quality. 

The second panel of the Global Policy Series focused on human rights and social policies, particularly the family law reform in Morocco.

Experts criticised the 2004 family code for its shortcomings, despite raising the minimum age for marriage from 15 to 18.

While the code prohibited underage marriages for males, it allowed females under 18 to marry with parental consent and a judge’s approval. This loophole has contributed to a rise in underage marriages, with cases increasing from 12,000 in 2020 to 19,000 in 2021.

The experts also expressed concern over the discriminatory provisions regarding guardianship. The current family code automatically assigns guardianship to the father following a separation, while the mother, who typically takes custody of the children, has limited legal rights. 

Divorced mothers have faced significant challenges in managing their children’s affairs due to administrative obstacles and limited legal rights. 

The amount of child support awarded by the courts is often considered insufficient, and the process of determining child support payments can be complex, especially for fathers working in the informal sector.

The experts also scrutinised the issue of inheritance. The family code’s interpretation of religious texts regarding inheritance rights continues to disadvantage women.