1GzuFGC

MAKING PROGRESS/STORIES OF CHANGECOUNTINGWOMEN INPutting gender equality at theheart of governance in MoroccoWhen Mohamed Chafiki, a senior official in the Moroccanfinance ministry, speaks about gender equality, the passionin his voice is unmistakable. Ensuring every governmentdecision is assessed for its gender impact has been a definingfeature of his career. And by working hand-in-hand with keypartner organizations from the world of gender and humanrights, he has helped Morocco become one of the leadinglights in the region.“I have always thought that gender equality was at the heartof democracy, both for my country and around the world,”he says from his office in Rabat. “I don’t think we can havebalance in life, or achieve happiness if there is not equalitybetween the sexes.”Gender responsive budgeting - or GRB - can have a profoundeffect on women’s lives and a country’s development,explains Mohamed. “Morocco, like many countries in theregion, suffers from widespread inequality,” he says. “Andin each instance it is women who pay the biggest price - interms of poverty, exclusion and marginalization. Addressingthese inequalities is also absolutely central to questions ofdemocracy and human rights.”Mohamed Chafiki, of Morocco’s Ministry of Economy and FinancePhoto: UN Women/Hassane Ouazzani Chahdi231