Fez- In a new appearance during a meeting organized by the Regional Secretariat of Justice and Development Party (PJD), on Sunday morning, on "Women's work, a fundamental pillar in democratic building," Morocco's head of Government, Abdelilah Benkirane, called upon men to apologize to working women for the hardships they endure.
"We, men, must all offer a formal apology to woman who work," Benkirane said.
Benkirane's statement comes not long after his last impassioned plea for the importance of the work Moroccan women do, during a monthly hearing at the second chamber last June. Mr. Benkirane's speech on women's roles in Morocco drew harsh criticism, especially from women's right organizations.
Benkirane highlighted the importance of equality between men and women in Moroccan society, adding that it is good to see them "work as teachers, engineers, doctors, blue color workers, servers." Yet, most childcare and household responsibilities are usually put on women's shoulders. This engenders problems for Moroccan families.
“Who will care for children?,” Benkirane asked, noting that women give birth to children, breastfeed and care for them, in addition to their professional jobs. "This is unbelievable,” he said, calling these hardworking mothers “superwomen.”
The Head of Government also drew attention to those who "reduce the status of women adding that a [housewife] is "queen." "They offer society an unparalleled job, which requires not only reverence but also compensation," Benkirane added.
In this context, Benkirane said he wishes that the state could afford to compensate stay at home mothers for the excellent job they do, especially those in need, so "they will not be obliged to work under harsh conditions irrespective of their circumstances."
He also called for the adoption of a new concept of equality based on fairness to allow women to work, with employers taking into consideration their other tasks and responsibilities.
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