USAID WID: Global Snapshots - Morocco and Economic Growth

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In rural areas, illiteracy rates are as high as 89.5% among women.

After years of advocacy to reform the personal status code (Moudawana), in 2003 the age of marriage was raised from 15 to 18, and women were given the right to initiate divorce and retain assets acquired during a marriage.

Cultural traditions, illiteracy, and lack of knowledge still prevent women from invoking their rights or reporting crimes against them despite reforms in the Personal Status Code.

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Global Snapshots: Morocco and Economic Growth

Photo of a family.
The Referral Workplace Advocacy activity enables Moroccans to secure better-paying jobs and provide their families a higher standard of living. (Photo USAID)

Photo of a market.
Association Al Amana provides loans to micro-enterprises and small businesses, many owned by women. In 2003, the Association achieved self-sustainability. (Photo USAID)

USAID/Morocco is providing assistance to help Morocco's economy address the challenges of liberalization. Mission activities include providing opportunities for small- and micro-enterprises to grow and promoting greater involvement of women in the workforce.

Women in Technology-Cisco Networking Academy Scholarships for Women

Working with the Institute of International Education (IEE), USAID provides scholarships to Moroccan women to attend the Cisco Networking Academy Program. This activity trains women to design, build, and maintain computer networks, providing approximately 600 women from seven countries the opportunity to gain marketable high-tech skills to work in jobs related to the Internet economy. At the completion of the six-month training program, the women will earn a Cisco Certified Network Associate Certificate.

Association Al Amana

In 1997, USAID/Morocco established Association Al Amana, a microfinance institution servicing Morocco's urban micro-entrepreneurs, a large portion of whom are women. Al Amana provides services to craft and trade micro-enterprises and small businesses that typically do not have access to larger financial institutions. Its clients belong to 160 professions divided into trade (48 percent), craft industry (39 percent), and services (13 percent), with women representing 60 percent of its active client base. Mission support came to an end in December 2003 when Al Amana achieved self-sustainability, establishing itself as one of the leading microfinance institutions in the region with 125 branches and over 100,000 active borrowers.

Morocco Program Objectives

Economic Growth and Job Creation
Education
Democracy & Governance

SELECTED ACTIVITIES:

Women in Technology-Cisco Networking Academy Scholarships for Women
Association Al Amana
Morocco Education for Girls (MEG)
Scholarships for Success
Morocco Information Technology in the Service of Women in Politics Project

Visit USAID/Morocco link to the Mission
Global Snapshots: Morocco Homepage

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Last Updated on: June 09, 2008