High-Level week of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly: MFM…

Speaking at a meeting on women's rights in Afghanistan, co-organized by the Netherlands, Canada and Australia, the Minister noted that the debate on the situation in Afghanistan must not be diverted to a debate on the role of women in Islam.

"As a Muslim nation, Morocco strongly believes the values of Islam are perfectly compatible with universal human rights, including women's rights", he underlined, adding that the Kingdom also believes that equality, a universal principle rooted in justice and dignity, transcends cultural boundaries.

In his address during this meeting, held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, attended by several ministers and UN officials, Mr. Nasser Bourita expressed Morocco's commitment to protecting and promoting women's rights.

"We are here today to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the fundamental rights of every woman and every girl are upheld, everywhere in the world," he stated, adding that, by excluding women from education and public life, any country is hindering its own progress and diminishing opportunities for sustainable peace and growth.

"No country holds a monopoly over gender equality and women's rights, but all nations have an obligation to uphold them," he said.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates also pointed out that, when it comes to human rights, Morocco always favors the virtues of dialogue and cooperation, noting that "this doctrine is also valid for the situation of women in Afghanistan".