Empowerment of rural women in Azilal: The INDH takes stock

Development of income-generating activities, creation of individual projects, constitution of cooperatives... Support: On the occasion of the International Day of Rural Women, celebrated every year on 15 October, the Provincial Human Development Committee of Azilal highlights the main actions undertaken in favour of the economic and social empowerment of women living in rural areas. Placed this year under the theme "Supporting rural women, a lever for inclusion and empowerment", this day constitutes an opportunity to return to the place granted to women, and more particularly to rural women, in the policies and programmes implemented within the framework of the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH). Since its launch by His Majesty King Mohammed VI on 18 May 2005, this royal initiative has gradually made the improvement of living conditions and the empowerment of vulnerable populations a major axis of its action. In this dynamic, the rural woman occupies a central place, with the objectives of strengthening her economic autonomy, improving her access to essential services, and favouring her active participation in the development of her territory. The third phase of the INDH is notably part of an approach based on investment in human capital. It aims to preserve the dignity of citizens, improve their living conditions, and prepare future generations, starting from the principle that sustainable development relies above all on the valorisation of human potential. Economic empowerment at the heart of the intervention: In the Azilal province, the action of the INDH in favour of rural women relies notably on the development of their economic autonomy and support for female entrepreneurship. Through the Programme for Income Improvement and Economic Inclusion of Young People, the Initiative encourages rural women to develop income-generating activities, create individual projects, and constitute cooperatives. This support also translates into financial, logistical, and technical support intended for project leaders as well as women's cooperatives. Training sessions are also organised in order to strengthen the skills of beneficiaries in essential fields such as management, financial management, marketing, and the valorisation of local products. The results recorded between 2019 and 2026 testify to the scale of this dynamic. During this period, 54 women's cooperatives, bringing together nearly 200 women, benefited from global funding exceeding 10.5 million dirhams. In parallel, 83 female businesses were created thanks to financial support of around 8 million dirhams. Investing in future generations: The action of the INDH is not limited, however, to economic support. Within the framework of the Programme for the Impulsion of Human Development of Rising Generations, particular attention is paid to the schooling of girls and the fight against school dropout in rural areas. The objective is to favour the access of all girls to education and to reduce the factors likely to interrupt their school path. In this context, the INDH has contributed to the creation and equipment of reception structures allowing young girls from rural areas to continue their schooling in better conditions. The Azilal province currently has 34 Dar Taliba, distributed across various rural communes. The Initiative also provides its support to preschool education and literacy programmes intended for women in the rural world. Maternal and child health: Another priority axis: Improving the health of the mother and child also constitutes an important component of the INDH's interventions. The actions carried out aim notably to facilitate the access of rural populations to essential health care and to contribute to the reduction of maternal and infant mortality. In this field, the Initiative supports notably the creation and equipment of 12 maternity homes established in the rural areas of the province. These structures make it possible to bring health services closer to pregnant women and to offer them adapted support. The system of community mediators also constitutes an essential link in this strategy. Their mission consists notably of guiding, informing, and accompanying pregnant women in their procedures related to pregnancy and childbirth. The provincial network today counts 170 community mediators. Particular attention to women in situations of great vulnerability: In parallel to economic, educational, and health actions, the INDH intervenes with women facing situations of extreme vulnerability, within the framework of the Programme for Supporting People in Precarious Situations. Two centres dedicated to women in difficult situations were thus realised with the support of the National Initiative for Human Development. These structures welcome nearly 200 women each year, to whom they offer support adapted to their needs. This approach is reinforced by partnerships established with local associations and National Mutual Aid establishments, notably for the upgrading, management, and animation of spaces dedicated to the promotion of the rural woman. Towards increased participation of women in local development: Through all these interventions, the INDH confirms its commitment in favour of the empowerment of rural women in the Azilal province. The approach adopted is not limited to responding to the immediate needs of the beneficiaries: it also aims to strengthen their capacities, their autonomy, and their participation in the economic and social life of their territory. Support for female entrepreneurship, access to education and care, the fight against precariousness, as well as support for local initiatives thus constitute as many levers intended to favour a sustainable integration of rural women in the development process. These achievements translate the will of the National Initiative for Human Development to pursue its efforts in favour of women in the rural world and to allow them to access more spaces of production, initiative, and decision, thus contributing to a dynamic of local development that is more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable in the Azilal province.