Geneva, March 13, 2025 – Ms. Amina Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) of Morocco and newly elected President of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), has called for the development of a comprehensive action plan to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

Ms. Bouayach delivered a statement at the GANHRI annual meeting, which was inaugurated by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Turk, and the President of the UN Human Rights Council, Mr. Jörg Luber. She emphasized that protecting women's rights and achieving effective gender equality should remain a top priority for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) worldwide.

In her capacity as GANHRI President (2025-2027) and CNDH Chairperson, Ms. Bouayach highlighted the pivotal role of NHRIs in promoting women’s rights and the principle of equality, combating discrimination, and addressing violence against women and girls. She called for a renewed commitment from all institutions to uphold equality, particularly as the global community marks 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Additionally, she stressed the importance of exchanging best practices and successful strategies to advance gender equality worldwide.

While acknowledging legislative and legal reforms that promote gender equality, Ms. Bouayach noted persistent challenges that hinder full realization of women's rights. Key obstacles include non-compliance with international law, and geopolitical conflicts contributing to disparities and discrimination, all of which perpetuate gender-based inequalities.

Ms. Bouayach reaffirmed the essential role of NHRIs in safeguarding and promoting women’s rights and establishing the values of equality. These institutions function as crucial mechanisms for protecting and promoting fundamental rights and freedoms, preventing violations, aligning national legislation with international human rights standards, and addressing emerging challenges linked to technology and artificial intelligence. NHRIs’ roles allow also determining the necessary measures to ensure better protection for women and girls in line with international standards.

The GANHRI annual conference, where Ms. Bouayach was unanimously elected as president on March 11, 2025, convened over 300 participants from NHRIs worldwide. Organized in partnership with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the conference served as a platform to foster global collaboration and reaffirm commitments to gender equality.