House of Representatives Takes Part in the Arab Parliaments' Dialogue on the Madrid International Action Plan on Ageing
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Nadia Touhami, together with Rep. Hamid Noughou, the Chairperson of the Social Sectors Committee, took part via videoconference in the Dialogue of Arab Parliaments on the Fourth Review of the Madrid International Action Plan on Ageing, organized on Thursday, May 19, 2022, by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the Regional Bureau of Arab Countries of the United Nations Population Fund, to exchange knowledge and expertise on the role of parliamentarians in promoting the issues of the elderly.
In her address on this occasion, Rep. Nadia Touhami noted that the Kingdom of Morocco has been constantly exhibiting its firm will and unwavering commitment to maintain and strengthen Human Rights, including the rights of the elderly. Such will was reflected in the 2011 Constitution of the Kingdom, in particular Articles 31 and 34 thereof, which emphasize that the public authorities work to set up public policies for the benefit of vulnerable social groups, including the elderly, and ensure their implementation.
The Deputy Speaker also affirmed the high solicitude of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who has consistently given high instructions to grant special attention to this social group, which has resulted in the development of a national policy in favor of the elderly. The policy is embodied in the integrated plan for the improvement of elderly’s conditions, the adoption of a regulatory framework for the intervention of the State and civil society to ensure the protection of their dignity and rights, and the adoption of the 2011-2016 National Action Plan for Democracy and Human Rights. The latter includes a section dedicated to the protection and promotion of social categories’ rights, including the elderly, not only through the consolidation of a culture of care and due consideration of this social group within society, but also through the qualification of the components of society into integrating care and attention for the elderly based on a human rights approach.
In addition, Rep. Touhami also referred to the preparation of a composite report with the aim of formulating a Strategic Framework For The Protection Of the Elderly by the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Development, Equality and Family, with the support of ESCWA, as well as the establishment of a national observatory for the elderly in order to create a space for thinking, consulting and exchanging information between the various stakeholders in the field.
In the same vein, Rep. Touhami also stressed the role of the Parliament in the institutional debate on laws to improve the situation of this category and protect it, or through the control of the ministerial departments concerned with intervention in the areas relating to the elderly, and the evaluation of public programs and policies directed towards this category.
As regards the legislative measures adopted by the House of Representatives, Rep. Touhami noted the adoption of Law 65.15 on social protection institutions; Law 98.15 on the basic compulsory health insurance scheme for professionals, independent workers and self-employed persons engaged in a liberal activity; Law 99.15 on the establishment of a pension scheme for professionals, independent workers and self-employed persons engaged in a liberal activity; and Law 72.18 on the targeting system for beneficiaries of social support programs and stipulating the establishment of the National Agency of Registers.
As a contribution by the House to the strengthening of its control functions, a series of questions, both written and oral, were devoted to the responsibility of the Government for the measures taken in the field of social protection and health services offered to the elderly. In addition, the House dedicated monthly general policy sittings to the Government's policy for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
It should be noted that the World Assembly on Ageing adopted in 2002, under the auspices of the United Nations, the Madrid International Action Plan on Ageing, with a view to building an inclusive society for all ages. The review of the implementation of the Action Plan takes place every five years to monitor its progress and to identify the situation of the elderly.
The dialogue on the Madrid International Action Plan on Ageing aims to increase parliamentarians' awareness of the components of the Plan and the review process, to consolidate knowledge and expertise on the role of parliamentarians in the review process and in the promotion of the rights of the elderly, to address the challenges faced by parliamentarians concerned with older persons' issues, and to propose solutions for maximum benefit from parliamentarians' participation in the implementation of the Action Plan.