The Minister of Solidarity Puts Child Protection at the Heart of a New National Initiative
National Survey on Child Violence Launched in Salé
A national survey addressing violence against children was launched on Monday in Salé, initiated by the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family. This effort aims to gather updated and accurate data on this phenomenon in Morocco.
Conducted in partnership with the National Human Development Observatory (ONDH), the High Commission for Planning (HCP), the National Child Rights Observatory (ONDE), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the survey seeks to measure the extent of various forms of violence and their impact on children’s physical and psychological health.
Additionally, the study aims to identify the determinants of violence based on gender and age, explore new forms of violence, and identify the contexts in which they occur—particularly within families, schools, public spaces, and the digital environment.
The survey will also analyze vulnerabilities related to economic, social, psychological, and educational factors, assess the effects of violence on children’s health, education, and overall well-being, and provide recommendations to guide public policies and prevention programs.
At this event, Naïma Ben Yahia, the Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family, stated that this initiative is part of an approach based on producing reliable and rigorous data, which is considered a key lever for developing and evaluating public policies.
She emphasized that the survey is particularly important for understanding the underlying causes of the issue, tracking the evolution of its forms, and assessing the impact of implemented policies while contributing to raising awareness and mobilizing support for children’s rights.
Othmane Gair, President of ONDH, noted that this survey serves as a strategic tool to provide reliable scientific data and a multidimensional diagnosis of the issue, enhancing decision-making and improving the effectiveness of public policies. He added that protecting children is a fundamental pillar in building a social state, urging efforts to ensure that children grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.
In a similar vein, Ayache Khellaf, Secretary General of HCP, highlighted the importance of having precise and updated data to guide national policies, noting that his institution will contribute to the data collection and analysis related to this issue.
Naseem Awl, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Morocco, emphasized the necessity of a reliable database to effectively combat violence against children, stating that this global issue remains concerning and requires increased mobilization.
On this occasion, a memorandum of understanding was signed among the various stakeholders to support the implementation of this national survey.
