Developing and implementing a regional strategy for Gender and Social Inclusion (MATTH0004)

Commitment ID

MATTH0004

Commitment Title

Developing and implementing a regional strategy for Gender and Social Inclusion

Problem

In TTA region, categories such migrants, people with disabilities, women in rural areas are the most vulnerable categories. They suffer from inequalities in access to social services, especially health and education services. They have difficulty accessing qualifying vocational training. Several constraints hinder them in accessing formal and decent employment and thus benefiting from economic opportunities. They also suffer from social and economic vulnerability (poverty, exploitation, precarious living conditions, etc.) and from social exclusion (unemployment, illiteracy, low level of qualification, discrimination, and violence). On top of that, children also are subject to vulnerability according to the latest UNICEF report. In this regard, a clear disadvantage is observed for children living in rural areas, in most isolated areas, as well as those from poor peri-urban areas.  The cases of children in a situation of disability, or migrant children in an irregular situation, or children living in a managed family by a single woman, or children living in protection institutions are challenging cases. The intersectionality between these categories makes the social problems very complex. Therefore, any action must be based on a solid diagnosis. Considering this and given the multitude of actors in TTA region working on these areas, a whole system approach consisting of bringing all stakeholders together and including communities has always been very challenging.

Status quo

• Women in rural areas still face many challenges (precarious living conditions, poverty, illiteracy, unrecognized work, health vulnerability….).
• It is estimated that 1/3 to 1/2 of migrants who want to go to Europe from Morocco live in the TTA region in the summer. Most of these migrants decide to temporarily settle down in the region. However, their unregulated legal situation hinders their ability to access services and opportunities. As of May 2021, the TTA RC had already developed the regional strategy for Gender and Social Inclusion. However, implementation has not started yet.

Action

The commitment is to develop and implement a Regional Gender and Social Inclusion strategy that tackles these challenges for the three beforementioned categories.

Expected results:

• Contributing to achieving equal opportunities for migrants to access health services.
• Contributing to alleviating inequalities in accessing economic opportunities for migrants
• Reducing social and economic disparities between rural and urban women by facilitating greater access to health services and education, and also by creating economic opportunities for rural women through supporting feminine cooperatives in the region.
• Providing the conditions for a suitable safe environment for children across the TTA region.

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

The commitment will help the TTA region achieve higher levels of development by tackling complex social and economic issues for three vulnerable categories.

It will also bring a new approach to the field of public policy in the region by introducing “the whole system in the room” approach, which is a more systematic approach that includes all the stakeholders in the process. In the long run, this will likely make a radical change in the mindsets of all regional actors paving the path towards “using collective intelligence in solving public problems”.

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

• Contribute to building strong examples of successful regional institutions.
• Promoting the values of transparency and empowerment of citizens.

Primary Policy Area

Civic Space, Crisis Response, Inclusion, Safety Nets & Economic Inclusion, Social Accountability, Stimulus and Economic Recovery

Primary Sector

Citizenship & Immigration, Cross-sectoral, Education, Health & Nutrition, Justice, Legislature, Policing & Corrections, Public Services (general), Security and Public Safety, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, Other/NA

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?