Lead
On Wednesday in Rabat, the State Secretary for Fisheries, Zakia Driouch, reaffirmed the commitment of the fisheries sector to actively promote the inclusion and empowerment of women in key roles across various value chains. This initiative, aimed at fostering female leadership in aquaculture, is seen as a pivotal step towards enhancing Morocco’s sustainable economic growth.
Pioneering Women in Aquaculture
During a meeting focused on women’s leadership in the aquaculture sector, Driouch announced the establishment of a dedicated unit for gender integration. This initiative demonstrates a clear intention to align public efforts with tangible, sustainable actions to enhance women’s economic and institutional presence. Under the theme “Women’s Leadership in Aquaculture: A Catalyst for Sustainable Growth,” this initiative reflects a collective commitment by women determined to take leading roles in structuring and modernizing Morocco’s aquaculture sector.
Strategic Economic Contributions
Driouch emphasized that this approach is in line with King Mohammed VI’s directives to elevate the role of Moroccan women and empower them to contribute meaningfully to economic and social development. She underscored the strategic importance of aquaculture in ensuring national food security, creating sustainable jobs, and responsibly managing marine resources. Currently, women play a crucial role in the seafood processing industry, utilizing their expertise and dedication to strengthen the competitiveness of the entire production chain.
Supportive Ecosystem for Women Entrepreneurs
Eliria Carnevali, the UNDP Resident Representative in Morocco, highlighted that enhancing female entrepreneurship is a core priority for the organization. UNDP supports women entrepreneurs through training programs, access to finance, and bolstering women’s cooperatives in natural resource value chains. This approach also extends to integrating gender considerations into public policies and environmental strategies, encouraging more women to engage in this promising sector.
Growing Female Presence in Aquaculture
Majda Maarouf, Director of the National Agency for Aquaculture Development, noted that women represent over 35% of the global active workforce in aquaculture, while approximately 30% of aquaculture projects in Morocco involve women in various roles, including entrepreneurs and decision-makers. The increasing female representation across all levels of the value chain signifies a positive trend toward reinforcing women’s contributions in this strategic sector.
The meeting aimed to highlight exemplary women’s journeys that have contributed to the structuring and competitiveness of Morocco’s aquaculture sector. It also celebrated the successes of women entrepreneurs who set a standard for effective, inclusive, and sustainable growth through their innovation and determination.
Networking for Sustainable Development
The event gathered public decision-makers, institutional partners, and experienced women in the sector to explore ways to further develop female entrepreneurship, particularly in financing, mentoring, and networking. This collaborative effort aims to fortify the role of women as essential agents in sustainable marine development.
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State Secretary Zakia Driouch champions women’s leadership in Morocco’s aquaculture sector as a key driver for sustainable economic growth.
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