On the occasion of International Women’s Day, celebrated this year under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) reaffirms its commitment to promoting equality and combating all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls. The Council calls for sustained collective action to ensure that women and girls fully and equally enjoy all human rights.

March 8, says CNDH President Amina Bouayach, is an opportunity both to reflect on the gaps that still exist in our society and to celebrate the achievements of women, as well as the work of advocates defending their rights. It is a moment to reaffirm the priority of protecting their dignity, defending their rights, and advancing empowerment and equality for all women and girls.

“In our regional and international contexts, in the MENA region, Africa, and across the world, we have yet to close the legal rights gap between women and men,” notes the Chairperson of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). Globally, women enjoy only 64 percent of the legal rights guaranteed to men, according to UN estimates. ‘At the current pace, it would take another 286 years to close these gaps in legal protection. This illustrates the magnitude of the challenge facing states, stakeholders, and the international community alike,” she added.

“When legal rights are not fully guaranteed for everyone, justice and equity cannot be achieved. Ensuring that all women and girls have full and equal access to human rights is not optional; it is a fundamental obligation and a cornerstone of building just, equitable, and sustainable societies.”
— Amina Bouayach, CNDH Chairperson

For International Women’s Rights Day 2026, the CNDH calls on all partners and stakeholders to actively embrace this year’s theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls” and turning it into a shared, continuous commitment to eliminate discriminatory laws and practices that prevent Moroccan women and girls from fully enjoying their rights.

The Council also emphasizes the need to combat gender-based violence, which remains the most widespread human rights violation globally, with one in three women experiencing some form of it during their lifetime.

It is worth noting that the CNDH continues to promote the rights of women and girls, making gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and the fight against gender-based violence core priorities. These efforts are pursued through field and digital monitoring, advocacy, awareness campaigns, policy guidance, and annual reports.

“Achieving genuine equality between women and men is essential to building a democratic society grounded in dignity, equity, and social justice. International Women’s Day is more than a symbolic occasion. It is a renewed call to action. Women’s rights are human rights, and realizing them requires strong policies, equitable laws, and a society that rejects all forms of discrimination and violence,” conclude Ms. Bouayach, in a statement on International Women’s Day 2026.