If you are working on a development agenda in 2016, gender parity is a likely component. Gender equality is enshrined in the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. The United States government’s Let Girls Learn initiative informs us that 62 million girls worldwide are out of school, unable to access education because of cultural barriers, poor infrastructure, the absence of clean water, or proper sanitation. As a Youth and Community Developer, I often listen in on conversations that shed light on the consequences of patriarchal systems that leave women and girls at a disadvantage. While that narrative is vast, it does not have to become absolute. That is why the Department of State’s Dads and Daughters campaign is so important. In this commentary, we meet Fatima-Ezzahra Outznit and her father Mohamed Outznit. Natives of southern Morocco and culturally Amazigh, one might assume that Fatima-Ezzahra might marry early and become a housewife given strict cultural norms. However, her father chose to motivate her differently. Having left the countryside as a youth, Mohamed sojourned in Casablanca as a restaurant worker where he intermingled with people from diverse backgrounds and cultural affiliations. It was there that the seeds of possibility were planted. Throughout our talk, Fatima-Ezzahra recounts her father as being supportive and optimistic about her education and freedom. She recalled, “He always took me to school. He was always there. He came to my awards ceremonies. That is just his mentality.” Courage is another notable aspect of his personality as our conversation revealed. Courage was necessary to resist family pressure to say no to his daughter’s participation in the State department’s Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. Trusting his daughter to participate and to travel to the United States while still in high school was the moment Fatima-Ezzahra said she was “most proud of her Dad.” Now in her final year of English studies at Mohamed V University’s in Rabat, Fatima-Ezzahra knew from an early age that continuing her education and developing a career could be options for her in contrast to an early marriage. “Using resources to educate Fatima-Ezzahra is a profitable investment,” explained Mohamed. A point which has extended beyond mere economic security as Fatima-Ezzahra collaborates with other YES alumni through an association that organizes and executes youth and community development projects throughout Morocco. For Mohamed and Fatima-Ezzahra, gender equality is not culturally exclusive, but also an element they discover throughout their faith. “Even some the Prophet’s wives worked,” they remarked, “religiously men and women are equal.” Referencing the Quran and Hadiths, they professed how important it would be for girls to be educated in order to understand the religion and implement it in daily life. Mohamed’s advice for other fathers is to teach their daughters, to trust them, and to give them their freedom. That mindset has produced a fruitful relationship between Mohamed and his daughter - one of mutual respect, support, sharing, and admiration. All of which would be considered blessings in any culture or religion most likely. #DadsandDaughters
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AuthorWelcome. After years as a manager in the education field, I accepted an invitation in 2014 to serve with the U.S. Peace Corps in Africa in the Youth Development sector. There have been no regrets. Disclaimer: The contents of this site and opinions expressed therein are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the Peace Corps, the US Government, or the Kingdom of Morocco.
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