Press Release: GEOM Morocco 2021

Press Release:

The Hague, 5th September

2021 Gender Concerns International is honoured to announce the launch of its Gender Election Observation Mission (GEOM MOROCCO 2021) with the scope of observing the Legislative, Regional and Municipal Elections, that for the first time in history will be held on the same day, 8th September, 2021, in Morocco.

Following the invitation received by the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) of the Kingdom of Morocco, Gender Concerns International expresses its high gratitude for the opportunity to observe the upcoming Elections in Morocco.

The GEOM MOROCCO 2021 represents a women-led, women-managed and women reported unique mission.

Today, GEOM Head of Mission Sabra Bano launched the Mission in Casablanca by observing Pre-election campaign activities and meeting with Civil Society Organisations, Political Party Representatives and many women candidates.

Tomorrow, GEOM will observe the Pre-election campaign in the capital city of Rabat and will meet various stakeholders.

On Election Day, the Mission will observe the conduct of elections from a distinct gender perspective. The unique GEOM is the only international election observation mission to observe elections from a gender lens and focuses on women’s electoral participation as candidates, voters and electoral officials. GEOM Morocco 2021 will observe with a team of 7 women International Observers.

GEOM primarily focuses on promoting inclusive governance and it supports gender parity in electoral processes in order to enable women to obtain leadership positions and key decision-making roles. The mission observes elections from a specific gender perspective with standards of objectivity and neutrality. As a signatory to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation (DoP), the GEOM instrument represents the importance of incorporating and enhancing a gender dimension to international election observation. It emphasizes on women’s democratic participation as voters, candidates, and electoral officials.

GEOM Morocco 2021 will be conducted in several locations in major cities and across Morocco. The GEOM will issue its Preliminary Statement within 24 hours after the closing of the polls on 8th September. A Final Report will be issued subsequently. GEOM MOROCCO 2021 represents the continuation for a series of successful GEOM initiatives in Morocco during the years 2011, 2015 and 2016.

Gender Concerns International has extensive international experience having conducted GEOMs in countries including Pakistan (2008 and 2013), Tunisia (2011 and 2014), Libya (2012), Myanmar (2015), and The Netherlands (2017, 2021). The profound change-making impact of these missions has influenced the process of reform at the level of national institutions and in shaping the direction of the public discourse on women`s political participation, including The Netherlands.

For further information please contact:

Sabra Bano, Head of Mission
At: sbano@genderconcerns.org
Phone Number: 0031653965784

Or Mission Coordinator
Tara Berkhof
E: tara@genderconcerns.org

Gender Concerns International
Wolga 9D2491 BK, The Hague, the Netherlands

P: +31 (0) 74445082 W: www.genderconcerns.org

GEOM is facilitated by Gender Concerns International, an international gender and development organization with its headquarters in The Hague and offices in several focus countries. It specializes working in the areas of Women, Peace and Security, Climate Change and Election Observation from Gender Perspective.