Outcome MAR_D_2.1

Social protection is universal and sustainable, and social, local, regional and gender inequalities are reduced to leave no one behind.

In 2023, significant progress was made towards the achievement of Outcome 2.1 with stakeholders, such as the Office of the Public Prosecutor (OPP), the General Directorate for National Security (police forces), the Gendarmerie Royale, the National Mutual Aid, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Ministry of Justice, High Commissioner for Planning, Civil Society Organizations and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strengthening their commitment to providing quality services for WSV through increased capacity building and improved intersectoral coordination. Stakeholders strengthened intersectoral coordination through the monitoring and evaluation of the territorial protocol for providing coordinated services to WSV, with UNW support. Institutional representatives from the Office of the Public Prosecutor / tribunals; the Ministry of Health / hospitals; the National Women’s Machinery / housing centres for WSV; the police forces; and Royal Guard (Gendarmerie Royale) / specialized units conducted self-assessments on the implementation of the protocol at institutional level. UN Women convened these representatives and supported these assessments to strengthen the culture of monitoring and evaluation of essential services provision. This process will inform future regional evaluations on the quality of the service provision for WSV for a better inter-sectoral coordination and fosters a culture of self-assessment to improve quality of provided services. In 2023, the National Police VAW unit chiefs harmonized their approach and understanding of different forms of gender-based violence and their specificities, as well as EVAWG national and international legal frameworks, standards and norms of support services for women and girls, survivors of violence (listening, counselling, referral systems). Security sector entities providing support to women survivors of violence (Ministry of Interior, National Police, Gendarmerie Royale) were strengthened their capacity and coordination through exchange of knowledge and experience within the framework of 2 exchange visits to Belgium (co-organized with ENABEL) and Canada. Both missions were opportunities to reflect on challenges in service provision to WVV and on best practices, but also to discuss collaboration on knowledge sharing and skills transfer. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection strengthened intra and inter sectoral coordination on EVAW in coordination with UN Women Morocco CO. The ministry finalized its National Strategy for WVV in 2023, aiming to improve coordination between the different health departments and all the institutional stakeholders listed in Law 103.13. The strategy designed with the support of a consultant mobilized by UNW was presented and disseminated by the Population Department to health professionals and practitioners at national and local levels. Finally, the Ministry of Justice launched a feasibility study for the implementation of a pilot one-stop center to provide integrated support and assistance for women survivors of violence in the regions of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra and Fes-Meknes, contributing to the significant improvement of intersectoral coordination. UN Women Morocco contributed to this study as a as a joint initiative with UNFPA. Civil society advocacy efforts to promote prevention and non-acceptation of VAWG, as well as the protection of women survivors of violence and criminalization of authors of violence were ongoing initiatives in the reporting period. In 2023, 20,106 women, men, boys and girls in marginalized areas (Al Haouz area) enhanced their knowledge on women’s and girls’ rights to a life free from all forms of violence and discriminations, including child marriage, namely facilitated through the awareness-raising campaign conducted by Ytto Foundation. This social caravan contributed to civil society local response to the earthquake’s victims which exacerbated the vulnerability of women and girls. In the absence of a national VAW prevention strategy, civil society continues to play a strong and paramount role of defending women’s rights. In 2023, civil society organizations developed and disseminated a memorandum to reform the Code of Criminal Procedure, with UN Women’s support. This tool advocates for a Code that protects survivors from double victimization and discriminations and criminalize perpetrators of gender-based violence. Grassroots organizations increased social mobilization to accompany advocacy efforts, awareness-raising initiatives such as the 16 Days of Activism Campaign under the tagline #No_excuse. The gender audit that UN Women launched for the Ministry of Youth, Communication and Culture led to the development by international expert mobilized by UNW and the Ministry’s gender unit of a roadmap and recommendations by . Among approved recommendations is the launch of a broad awareness-raising initiative to inform all staff members about protocols to implement to end sexual harassment in the workplace and to inform on rights and support provisions for survivors of gender-based violence in the workplace. The gender audit also paves the way for a strengthened coordination on VAWG prevention with the Ministry of Youth, Communication and Culture through promotion of a gender equality culture within the youth and positive masculinities.

Social protection is universal and sustainable, and social, local, regional and gender inequalities are reduced to leave no one behind.

In 2024, UN Women Morocco made progress towards the achievement of Outcome 2.1. The coordinated efforts of with various institutional partners contributed to a broader understanding and commitment to addressing gender-based violence and ensuring the implementation of gender-sensitive policies and services. These partnerships have reinforced the commitment of local and national actors to prioritize women’s rights and enhanced capacities of institutions to respond to gender-based violence. In line with law 103.13 on combatting VAWG, service providers initiated a joint effort to harmonize data collection and communication on VAWG cases. This process was initiated by a comprehensive review of each department’s methodologies to improve coordination and efficiency in data sharing for better service delivery and prevention efforts. Building on this initiative, the National Police established a dedicated team of eight officers, trained to enhance the systematic collection of VAWG data. This team developed an advanced, in-house information system, incorporating pre-established indicators developed collaboratively by the National Police in partnership with UN Women Morocco Country Office. Furthermore, in response to the rising prevalence of cyberviolence against women and girls, the National Police's cybercrime brigades have undertaken substantial efforts to harmonize their understanding of online violence. This process involved aligning their operational frameworks with established international norms and standards to ensure a comprehensive and victim-centered response. By enhancing their capacity to address cyberviolence, the brigades will improve the quality and consistency of support services provided to women and girls affected by online violence, ensuring their rights are safeguarded in the digital realm. In rural areas, the Gendarmerie Royale increased their capacity to provide services to women survivors of violence (WSV) to meet international standards, in line with the Essential Services Package guidelines. A dedicated pool of 30 officers and trainers from VAW units formed following a two-phase training (October 2023 -June 2024) aimed to build their capacity to cascade acquired knowledge to peers in the field, ensuring standardized and harmonized service delivery to survivors of violence across regions. Woman may soon be able to use a more comprehensive and accessible support system through a one-stop center model addressing the specific needs of the regions of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra and Fes-Meknes. So achieve this and enhance intersectoral coordination, a feasibility study for the establishment of a one-stop center was conducted under the leadership of the Ministry of Justice, with the support of UN Women Morocco and UNFPA. The study outlined four detailed scenarios to improve integrated support for WSV.. In Fes, a city member of the Safe Cities Flagship Programme, advocates pushed the city government to align the municipal action plan with the standards of the ‘Safe Cities without Violence against Women and Girls’ initiative. Moreover, in the absence of a national strategy to prevent VAW, sectoral initiatives and campaigns, such as the 16 Days of Activism, continue to play a key role in raising awareness among women and girls about their rights and available services. Specifically, a diverse range of actors engaged various social groups—particularly young men, women, and girls—through inclusive and impactful initiatives during the 16 Days of Activism campaign. Over 1,500 participants attended the 3rd edition of the Women’s Rights Film Week, organized by the Morocco CO in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and. Youth engaged in two innovative competitions: a digital content creation contest and the "Words of Equality" rap and slam competition. Around 747 participants attended interactive workshops, cultural activities, and sports programs to increase their awareness on gender-based violence as part of the “Equality Village” event. UN Women Morocco organized the event as part of its coordination role within the United Nations Development System. The Theory of Change remains applicable, as evidenced by the sustained partnerships and the progress made toward reducing gender inequalities and strengthening social protection systems. Based on this analysis, there is no need for any amendments to the strategy or ToC. The work carried out is expected to have a lasting impact on women and girls, enhancing their access to quality services and strengthening the social protection system in a way that responds to their needs.

Social protection is universal and sustainable, and social, local, regional and gender inequalities are reduced to leave no one behind.

Outcome 2.1 was not fully achieved in 2025. Nevertheless, meaningful progress was recorded during the reporting period through strengthened prevention and response mechanisms to violence against women and girls (VAWG), especially in urban public spaces, and through the promotion of more inclusive, survivor-centered approaches to protection and social services. In 2025, improvements were observed in the inclusiveness and responsiveness of local protection systems. Through the “Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces” flagship initiative, local authorities and service providers enhanced their capacity to integrate gender-responsive and survivor-centered approaches into urban safety planning and coordination mechanisms. At the community level, awareness-raising and behavior-change interventions contributed to challenging social norms that tolerate harassment and violence in public spaces, supporting safer environments and improving women’s and girls’ ability to access public spaces, public services, and opportunities for social and economic participation. These advances collectively contributed to reducing barriers to protection for women and girls facing intersecting forms of vulnerability. UN Women Morocco contributed to these changes through a multi-level approach combining institutional capacity development, community mobilization, advocacy, and coordination. It provided technical support to local authorities and frontline service providers to strengthen survivor-centered referral and response mechanisms, supported the integration of gender considerations into urban safety policies, and facilitated collaboration among institutional and community actors. In parallel, UN Women led large-scale prevention and norm-change efforts, including national advocacy campaigns, to address the root causes of VAWG and promote inclusive social norms. UN Women’s contribution is evidenced by the strengthened capacities of local institutions engaged in the Safe Cities programme, the improved coordination of protection and referral mechanisms, and the reach and engagement achieved through the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. In 2025, campaign activities reached over 10 million people through traditional media, 300,000 through social media, and approximately 2,000 individuals through face-to-face initiatives, raising awareness on survivors’ rights, available support services, and emerging forms of violence, including technology-facilitated violence. Progress was enabled through partnerships with local authorities, national institutions, civil society organizations, women’s rights groups, youth networks, media outlets, academic institutions, and community leaders. These actors played a critical role in institutional uptake, community outreach, and sustaining prevention and response efforts at local and national levels. The results observed in 2025 confirm the continued relevance of the office’s Theory of Change, which posits that combining institutional strengthening, community-level norm change, and survivor-centered services contribute to reducing gender-based inequalities in access to protection and public services. While the Theory of Change remains valid, implementation experience in 2025 highlighted the need to further strengthen linkages between urban safety interventions and national social protection systems. It also underscored the importance of deepening engagement with youth and digital platforms to address emerging forms of violence. These dimensions will be reinforced in future programming. As a result of the progress achieved, women and girls are increasingly able to access public spaces and protection services with greater safety and confidence. Over time, these changes are expected to contribute to measurable reductions in exposure to violence, higher services utilization rates among survivors, and enhanced social and economic participation of women and girls, particularly in urban settings. Key lessons include the effectiveness of integrated, multi-level interventions that address institutional, social, and normative barriers simultaneously, and the importance of combining survivor-centered service delivery with large-scale prevention and advocacy efforts to achieve sustainable reductions in gender-based inequalities.