It was in a festive atmosphere that associative actors of the city of Zayanes chose to pay tribute, last weekend, to female figures who distinguished themselves in different fields, on the occasion of International Women's Day.

Indeed, five women, who distinguished themselves on the local scene by their sporting talents, their self-denial and their commitment to social and educational action, their dazzling political and professional careers, or even by their sacrifice in the service of the homeland, were honoured during a ceremony organised by the Association of Populations of the Mountains of the World (provincial office), the Tifaouine Association for Amazigh Culture and Development, and the Moroccan Scout organisation under the theme: "Woman, a fundamental pillar of the development of society".

These are Lhajja Yamna Morchid, the first woman to preside over a chamber of crafts at the national level; Rabha Anouar, a former resistance fighter; Rachida Hamzaoui, a player for the Chabab Atlas Khénifra (CAK) Club; Latifa Bouallouchen, champion of Morocco in athletics (various categories); and Naima Khoulane, who is active in the field.

An emblematic figure of the local political and female scene, Lhajja Yamna embodies in the most beautiful way the model of success for rural and Amazigh women.

This sexagenarian marked the history of the Kingdom in that she was the first Moroccan woman to preside over the destinies of a professional chamber of crafts in 1993.

The second woman to be honoured on this occasion is the resistance fighter Rabha Anouar, in reward for her sacrifices in the service of the homeland through her participation in the struggle for the country's independence within the first resistance cell created in the city of Khénifra by nationalists at the time.

In the field of social and educational action, the organisers chose to pay tribute to Naima Khoulane in recognition of her professional commitment with self-denial within the social protection establishment "Dar Al Fatat".

"Mother" to all the residents of this centre, Ms Anouar devotes all her time to the assistance, guidance, and accompaniment of the beneficiaries of this centre.

In the sports sector, a strong tribute was paid to Latifa Bouallouchen, a young athlete full of talent who has to her credit several consecrations at the regional, national, and international levels in the 1,500m and 800m (minimes, cadets, and juniors categories) and at the Arab and Maghreb school sports championships.

For observers of the local, and even national, sports scene, this 18-year-old high school student, who is pursuing her baccalaureate studies this year, constitutes a great hope for national athletics if the necessary conditions are met for her to express her talent further.

The CAK player (from 1997 to 2011), Rachida Hamzaoui, and through her the entire women's football team of Khénifra, for her part, was entitled to honours. The Zayanies constitute, indeed, a source of pride for the whole region after their historic exploit in winning the prestigious Throne Cup for the second consecutive year.

After having allowed the public of the city of Zayanes to taste the delights of victory for the first time in the sporting history of an entire region by winning the dear cup during the 2010-2011 season, the CAK succeeded in retaining the title in 2011-2012, thus becoming the most titled women's team at the national level in the women's football Throne Cup (2 titles out of the four editions organised so far).

For the organisers, the choice of these female figures was not fortuitous, because they represent different fields, have made their way and marked their sector of activity, and have had the merit of contributing to the influence of the province.

This tribute ceremony is also intended as a gesture of recognition for the considerable efforts deployed by women who have honoured an entire region that is full of skills and talents, they stressed.

The ceremony, in which various local actors took part, was animated by folkloric troupes, notably the art of Ahidous, and other groups of young local artists.