I've no time to react to critics

Moroccan minister, Bassima Hakaoui Casablanca – Raja Battaoui Moroccan minister Bassima Hakaoui thinks she is the best person to handle the Solidarity, Women, Family and Social Development Ministry. In an exclusive interview with Arabstoday, she said that those who are trying to foil Morocco's "extraordinary period" right now will have to answer to history. Arabstoday: You have created a lot of controversy since your appointment as Minister of Solidarity, Women, Family and Social Development. Some opposed your appointment and questioned your ability to develop this area. What is your comment on that? Bassima Hakaoui: It is not easy to manage the ministry, but I believe I'm capable of doing it. I worked before as head of social services in parliament twice, which is helping me a lot. I have dealt with so many social issues for over a decade, through contributing in social workshops, so I can proudly say I am the most qualified to lay down the foundations of this ministry and fight its social  battles through clear and successful public policy workshops. The rejectionists still do not understand the historic moment we are experiencing, as the constitution is unanimously formed by Moroccan society, with all its orientations and political, social and economic structures. We should work according a participatory approach of democracy based on strong acceptance to the other in order to stabilise the situation and achieve the development of the country. AT: Some women's organisations still opposed the way the Islamists deal with a number of issues, how could you unite the two parties, does your inner feminist dominate the ideological side? BH: Some women's organisations, unfortunately, are intimidated by the Islamist character of the current government, so their judgment is not based on logical principles and rules. I invite them to settle all the differences by debates that enrich their views and for the benefit of society. The issues raised today do not accept political bids nor do they accept any ideological sensitivities. If there is a true desire to find solutions to issues and problems on the table, we are open to all opinions and are ready to exchange views. We work in our ministry to strengthen gains and lift taboos on all issues without exception. We do not have any ideological bias. AT: How do you respond to the fierce attack against you by leftist women activists? BH: I am always briefed on their harsh statements against me, but I do not have enough time to answer them. I concentrate all my efforts on the responsibility and the serious issues I bear. I would prefer to take care of them rather than wasting my time and energy on responses to such unjustified attacks. I am really surprised that those who struggle for the empowerment of women in the political scene are the same who attack the only woman in the government; it is such a double standard that serves personal agendas. AT: Do not you think that having only one female minister in a government of 20 is contrary to the principle of equal sharing set forth in the amended constitution? BH: The constitutional reference talks about the pursuit of equality, not achieving it immediately. I assure that there are possibilities for women in the upcoming appointments. Maybe women’s absence in the current government will be a push for future governments to appoint women in senior positions. AT: After the recent protests demanding the amendment to rape penalties, have you started discussing the issue in your ministry? BH: Many chapters of the Moroccan Penal Code have already addressed this crime. Now, we are consulting with the Ministry of Justice and Freedoms to consider reforms. It shall be more stringent with rape, corruption and kidnapping crimes. AT: Former minister Nazeha al-Sekely accused you of being capable after it was revealed that over 400 billion centimes allocated to support the ministry have been spent on projects unrelated to the ministry, what is the truth to this matter? BH: This is not true. I get used not to commenting on such political statements released by the media and press for embarrassment. AT: In an earlier statement, you said: "The relationship between governmental services and civil society components are not subject to the evaluation of projects under the National Initiative for Human Development", what do you mean by that? BH: We do not judge things before evaluating them. We have come in order to develop what has been achieved and build for the future under the same collective creative concept. We believe that the country's development and progress will be achieved by ourselves in order to develop attitudes, visions and credible proposals. As for the relationship between government and civil society, we must acknowledge the role of civil society in engaging in governmental projects, although the civil associations cannot be acting on behalf of the government, nor can the government shirk its responsibilities and rely on civil society organisations. The relationship between them needs rationalism and clarity and further development as the previous stages were constituent. Nowadays, it is important that this relationship positively affects society in order to achieve its benefits, and also to be careful not to waste time, money, effort. Publishing the support regulations does not mean condemning civil society. The constitution stipulates the right of ordinary citizens, so it is the legal for an MP to obtain these regulations. The ministry works on the unification of standards and clarifies the stations through which a contract between the ministry and the association should go through. It also stimulates civil society towards greater involvement in workshops. AT: Would not this affect the European support for the government's strategy for equality? BH: Those who claim the withdrawal of this support are not honest. The best proof that the European support will not be withdrawn is the signing previously announced in Brussels. AT: As a female minster, what have you done for women? BH: My work in the field of women's development is defined by the constitution, which dictates that we should issue draft organisational laws to develop the Advisory Council for Family and Children. There is a governmental plan for equality from 2012-2016 which will be able to achieve a set of demands in favour of women, including fighting discrimination and violence. This includes the creation of an observatory to combat violence, and also to work on improving the image of women in media, in addition to the development of vigilance and reporting centres to reduce the employment of young girls in houses and monitoring cases of violence and rape. Moreover, we are working on the political empowerment of women and increasing their proportion in elected assemblies to achieve gender parity stipulated by the Moroccan constitution. AT: We have waited for your government to develop an advisory board for family and childhood as stipulated by the new constitution, how has this project developed? BH: Development of this council requires the expansion of counseling and to learn from previous experiences in countries that succeeded in developing boards for families and children. We have already begun preparing for consultations and collecting various data and proposals in this area. We have also contacted the Venice Commission of the European Council in order to benefit from the European experience in this area. AT: What are your suggestions to help revamp social welfare institutions? BH: Social welfare has seen some development after the issuance of law 14.05, but the law needs to be revised. It is not just about legal convenience but also future structures as these institutions require maintenance and focus as well as organisational efficiency so that they work in the best way possible.