Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RABAT42
2009-01-15 20:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:  

MOROCCO: WOMEN'S ELECTORAL SUPPORT PROJECT

Tags:  PHUM PGOV PREL KMPI KWMN MO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRB #0042/01 0152003
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 152003Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY RABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9543
INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 4951
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS PRIORITY 9764
RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA PRIORITY 4457
UNCLAS RABAT 000042 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/PI (KIRBY),DRL/NESCA, AND NEA/MAG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KMPI KWMN MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO: WOMEN'S ELECTORAL SUPPORT PROJECT

REF: A. 08 RABAT 1194

B. 08 RABAT 1196

C. 08 RABAT 1150

D. EMBASSY-MEPI EMAILS

UNCLAS RABAT 000042

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/PI (KIRBY),DRL/NESCA, AND NEA/MAG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KMPI KWMN MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO: WOMEN'S ELECTORAL SUPPORT PROJECT

REF: A. 08 RABAT 1194

B. 08 RABAT 1196

C. 08 RABAT 1150

D. EMBASSY-MEPI EMAILS


1. (SBU) Summary and Action Request: Mission Morocco
proposes that the USG (MEPI) urgently provide between USD
500,000 to USD 1 Million to implement a major quick action
effort to support a major expansion of women's political
participation and enhance democracy. Morocco has recently
allocated twelve percent of seats in local councils to women,
up from under one percent, at present. Victors would also be
eligible for higher office. We understand the U.S. major
party institutes, already active on the ground in Morocco,
are submitting proposals for this. With the elections slated
for June, and nominations due in May, there is very little
time to act. Due to their existing projects and connections,
NDI and IRI may be the only providers who can make this
happen in time. This is a coordinated mission message. End
Summary.


2. (U) Embassy has reported the recent decision of the
Government of Morocco (GOM) to revise its electoral law to,
in effect, allocate some 12 percent of municipal/local
council seats in the June 2009 elections for women. This
would result in approximately 2,800 new women elected
officials, with thousands more politically involved as
candidates (ref A). Currently, less than one percent of
local council seats are held by women (125 nationwide).
USAID,s local government project helped prepare the landmark
legislation. Of the victors, some likely would be elected by
their peers in July to fill regional and provincial councils
and some of the one-third of the rotating seats in the
Chamber of Councilors, the upper house of parliament.
National-level women politicians have told us this is an
excellent opportunity to expand both women,s role in the
political process and reform in general (ref B). While the
mechanisms to accomplish this significant expansion of
women's participation remains informal, complex, and somewhat
vague, the end result could help build the now wanting level
of political interest and participation.


3. (U) Action Request: Embassy proposes a significant
short-term assistance program to generate women candidates
across the party spectrum and among independents and train
them to run and win, including in the follow-on elections.
Initially, the effort would be based a good deal on civil
society organizations, which would beat the grassroots for
candidates, help them find parties, and prepare them to run,
thus also reducing the likelihood of cronyism. In a second
phase, political parties would be assisted to train their own
candidates, who also would get general assistance. This
would not be a pilot project, but at least an effort to
achieve comprehensive, country-wide reach.


4. (SBU) The U.S. major political party institutes, NDI and
IRI, both have existing projects with women's political
associations (the former funded by USAID and the latter, we
understand, by NED). To their credit, the institutes have
stepped forward and proposed to fill this urgent need, which
they appear uniquely in a position to accomplish. Both have
indicated they were submitting proposals to MEPI. IRI was
already working to strengthen the nascent Association of
Women Local Councilors. NDI has a project with the Women's
Action Union (UAF). Embassy has already has had initial and
positive contacts with these NGO's and we judge them as
useful potential vehicles. Both institutes would
subsequently work through their existing party connections,
particularly for phase 2, and have potentially indicated they
could work in separate geographic regions, ultimately
covering the whole country. They have proposed to proceed in
a coordinated manner. We understand that NDI may propose
other activities, of which we judge work with party election
poll watchers to be promising. We would otherwise hope they
could concentrate on the women.


5. (SBU) While budgeting is not finalized, a project of
between USD 500,000 and USD one million would likely be
required, divided among implementers. This would provide for
concentric circles of train the trainers, in order to reach
at least a large majority of the districts and ultimately as
many as 10,000 or more potential women candidates, while also
reaching out to the public. We will assist in coordination
with other donors, which should also be incorporated. This
project would complement other efforts we make to support
democracy through the local elections. It would also help
build, even among the losers. a pool of women civil society
activists, better prepared to engage with the political
structure.


6. This message has been coordinated with USAID Mission.





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Riley