The challenges to the participation of women in public and political life were the main topic at the round table that was held on October 9th, 2015 in Rabat. It involved 25 representatives of non-governmental organizations for protection of human rights and of women’s and youth wings of major political parties. The ambassadors of Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania and Portugal in Morocco were special guests and active participants in the discussion. The event was organized by the Bulgarian School of Politics “Dimitry Panitza” within the project “Empowered women – active participants in politics and in decision-making process in Morocco” and implemented with the support of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie ( OIF).

In Bulgaria we have a saying: “If you need someone to speak well – invite a man, if you need someone to do the job – invite a woman” – said at the opening of the event Dr. Irina Alexieva, Executive Director of the BSoP. She stressed that in Morocco there is a similar saying, which shows how close are our cultures and the understandings of people from both countries on the role of women. Ms. Alexieva added that the School’s team will be ready to make training for Moroccan women involved in politics and in the decision-making process. H.E. Boryana Simeonova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Kingdom of Morocco and Amina Bouayach, Secretary General of the International Federation for Human Rights made special greetings to the participants.

A documentary research on the main problems and challenges to the participation of women in public and political life, made by the Bulgarian School of Politics “Dimitry Panitza”, was presented during the event. It was pointed out that although legislation in Morocco guarantees quotas for women, politics are still considered a man’s job. The participants shared their impressions of recently completed local and regional elections, as of the elections for the upper chamber of the Moroccan Parliament. The purpose of the discussion was to verify and complement the findings of the documentary study, which will serve as the basis for the analysis of the training needs and defining the knowledge and skills that are necessary for women – active participants in the decision-making process and in the development of public policies.

During the three-day visit to Rabat, Executive Director of BSoP Irina Alexieva met with Mr. Rupert Joy, EU Ambassador to Morocco, with Mr. Driss El Yazami, President of the National Human Rights Council and with Mr. Mohamed Chrourou, Member of the Moroccan Parliament and member of the Group of Friendship between Morocco and Bulgaria.