Addis ababa: Initiated by the Moroccan Embassy in Ethiopia in collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, the Morocco-Ethiopia Social Economy Week has officially opened in Addis Ababa. This event is set to highlight the impact of cooperation between Moroccan and Ethiopian cooperatives, with a particular emphasis on sustainable entrepreneurship led by women. Organized in partnership with the OCP Group, the week features an exhibition of local products crafted by Moroccan and Ethiopian women’s cooperatives.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the event aims to underscore the critical role of women’s empowerment and women’s cooperatives in promoting the agricultural sector within both countries. At the launch ceremony, Ethiopian Minister of Women and Social Affairs Ergoge Tesfaye emphasized that this Social and Solidarity Economy Week reflects the deep-rooted relations between Morocco and Ethiopia. She highlighted that both countries historically serve as pillars of African solidarity and mutual understanding.
Tesfaye also spoke about the commitment of the two nations to bolster South-South cooperation through the exchange of best practices to address development challenges. She reiterated that solidarity and the social economy are pivotal tools for tackling structural disparities, especially those related to gender, by creating decent jobs and empowering communities, particularly women and youth.
Morocco’s ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti, Nezha Alaoui M’Hammdi, noted that the event aims to celebrate the resilience and empowerment of Moroccan and Ethiopian women. She expressed that both countries share a unified vision for African development and South-South cooperation. Morocco’s policy on women’s empowerment aligns with a global approach aimed at promoting gender equality and enhancing women’s roles across socio-economic and political spheres.
The policy’s main pillars include legislative and institutional frameworks, along with awareness and education programs, as well as vocational training initiatives. These efforts have led to opportunities for women in vocational training and employment, especially in the crafts, agriculture, and new technologies sectors, the ambassador explained.
The Morocco-Ethiopia Social and Solidarity Economy Week’s opening was attended by numerous Ethiopian officials and diplomats accredited in Addis Ababa.