In a significant step to enhance the socio-economic position of women in Morocco’s southern regions, a new social rehabilitation center was inaugurated in Guelmim on Wednesday. This initiative coincides with the 49th anniversary of the region’s liberation from Spanish colonial rule. The project, known as the Princess Lalla Meryem Social Rehabilitation Complex, is the first of its kind in the southern provinces and the second nationwide, following a similar center in Sale. The complex is designed to empower women by offering skill development programs and legal and psychological support for victims of violence.
The center’s 1,437 square-meter facility will be divided into multiple sections, including a reception and listening center, a training hub, and a dormitory for beneficiaries. It will also feature a conference and seminar space, providing a comprehensive approach to social empowerment. The total cost of the project is 25.2 million dirhams, with equal contributions from the Guelmim-Oued Noun Regional Council, the Ministry of Solidarity, and the local municipality, which also provided the land for the project. The National Union of Moroccan Women will oversee the project’s implementation and management.
According to Fadhli Benhamane, director of the regional project implementation agency, the new complex represents a model of the “new generation” of social rehabilitation centers, offering vital services such as psychological support and legal protection for women facing social and domestic challenges. The facility will also provide vocational training and workshops aimed at enhancing the economic independence of women, particularly those who have dropped out of school. Additionally, a solidarity store will be established within the center, allowing women to market their handcrafted and natural products. This initiative is expected to significantly improve the lives of women in Guelmim and neighboring areas, contributing to their social and economic integration.
07/11/2024
