Outcome MAR_O_2

Increased engagement of partners in support of UN-Women’s mandate

In 2021, engagement of partners in support of UNW's mandate was demonstrated by a significant increase in interest on a programmatic level and on an advocacy and communication level. The 16 day campaign edition for 2021 convened an increased number of partners and stakeholders expressing their interest to participate. These ranged from new bilateral partners such as Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands which organized a side event to new media partners (SNRT) who decided to cover the campaign on TV, radio and social media. the private sector - WEPs signatories and others- was also an important addition to the campaign through the "orange the world" initiative. The media coverage of hte campaign was very extensive and helped reach about 13M people. Media coverage translates engagement and interest in support of UNW's mandate. Promoting innovative finance and potential (sovereign or domestic) gender bonds placed UNW in a position to engage the discussion with the banking sector (Bank Al-Maghrib, CitiGroup, Bank Centrale Populaire), with the former Minister of Tourism (currently Minister of Finance) and with the Head of the Treasury Department (Ministry of Finance). Innovative and inclusive finance was also introduced to IFC and EBRD offices in Morocco. The interest the discussion induced in these partners has not materialized in an engagement yet but there is a high probability that it does. Iincreased engagement of partners is translated by the renewal of ending partnerships such as the partnership agreement with the Ministry of Interior/DGCT on Gender-sensitive territorial planning and budgeting over 3 yrs and with a budget of 1.05M US$. The Women's Machinery also expressed interest in signing a new partnership agreement to monitor implementation of the WEE national strategy. This agreement is in review by the legal department at MoFA. The French Agency for Development (AFD) approached UNW in 2021 to develop a regional programme with Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. The programme document was developed and is in finalization phase. Partnership agreement is expected to be signed in March 2022.

Increased engagement of partners in support of UN-Women’s mandate

In 2022, increased engagement of external partners and donors was manifest through the secured partnership with the French Development Agency and the mobilization of a 3M US$. Furthermore, the CO was able to convince the Finnish government to fund the CO to (i) promote sustainable finance for gender equality in Morocco and (ii) support the implementation of the WPS National Action Plan. Morever, UNW CO witnessed increased engagement from the UNDS agencies as the latter voluntarily allocated joint resources to support hte implementation of joint initiatives during the 16 day campaign.