What would sport be without exceptional female athletes? To honor three Moroccan champions and on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the European Union Ambassador to Morocco, Patricia Llombart Cussac, hosted an evening of discussions focused on sport and equality. Three exceptional Moroccan athletes were honored: Nadia Ben Bahtane, Bouchra Baibanou, and Bahia El Yahmidi, who shared their inspiring journeys in a still predominantly male-dominated field.

Organized around the theme “Gender and Sport: Challenges, Developments, and Prospects,” this meeting brought together a wide range of inspiring women at the European Union residence in Rabat. Athletes, media, and civil society representatives shared their visions and discussed concrete actions to advance women’s sport. This evening of discussions highlighted the many ways in which sport can become a lever for equality and empowerment.

Braving the waves and climbing the peaks

Whether taming the ocean or conquering the highest peaks, Nadia Ben Bahtane and Bouchra Baibanou embody courage, perseverance, and the will to surpass imposed limits, whether physical or social. Nadia Ben Bahtane, an open-water swimmer, is passionate about the ocean. In 2015, she became the first Moroccan woman to swim the Strait of Gibraltar. In 2022, she took on another challenge: a 24-km crossing between Taghazout and Agadir. For her, sport is a vehicle for dialogue and a lever for empowerment for women, who deserve their rightful place at the top of the podium. “Watching the swimmers train at the Club Cheminots in Rabat, sitting far away among the spectators, was a very frustrating experience for me. I knew my place wasn’t in the stands! That’s why I decided to take the plunge and become a high-level swimmer,” she confides.

For her part, Bouchra Baibanou has chosen the peaks as her platform for expression. In 2017, she became the first Moroccan and North African woman to reach the summit of Everest. Since then, she has climbed the highest peaks on seven continents, including Annapurna in 2022 and Lhotse in 2023. A telecommunications engineer with a degree from HEC Montréal, she is also president of the Delta Évasion association and the Women’s Commission of the Royal Moroccan Ski and Mountain Sports Federation. “There is still much to be done to break down stereotypes and advance women’s sport in Morocco,” she emphasized.

The EU’s commitment to equality in sport

During the evening, Patricia Llombart Cussac, EU Ambassador to Morocco, reiterated that: “Sport is a powerful lever for inclusivity and equality to combat stereotypes and change perceptions.” In her view, the media have “a role to play” in promoting these exceptional careers. “These athletes are a source of inspiration for young girls,” they continued. “It is through these icons that they will be able to dream big and realize that they have the same rights and opportunities as young men.”

Gender equality is a fundamental value of the European Union and an essential lever for sustainable development. It is with this in mind that the Euro-Moroccan partnership is working together to promote the inclusion and empowerment of women. As a key player in promoting gender equality, the European Union also relies on partnerships with civil society to raise awareness, encourage a culture of equality, and deconstruct stereotypes. It also supports key projects, such as the High Commission for Planning’s “Gender Digital Platform,” which provides key data for integrating gender equality into public policies.

EU-Morocco: Sustainable cooperation for women’s rights
For several years, the European Union has been working alongside Morocco to promote equality for all and is particularly committed to combating gender-based violence. The EU supports non-state actors in providing multisectoral care to survivors. Particular attention is also paid to single mothers, to facilitate their access to rights and essential services, thus guaranteeing them greater autonomy. This support is reinforced by joint work with Moroccan institutions. The EU notably works alongside the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family in monitoring and coordinating Government Plans for Equality (PGE). It also supports the Ministry of Finance in implementing gender-responsive budgeting, a crucial tool for ensuring the equitable distribution of public resources. Through these partnerships, the EU assists Morocco in building inclusive public policies based on reliable data.

Women’s Economic Empowerment: A Priority for EU-Morocco Cooperation

In 2024, the EU launched a Women’s Economic Empowerment Support Program, in support of the priorities of the Government’s Plan for Equality (PGE III). This program aims to create an environment conducive to women’s entrepreneurship, promote access to economic and social rights, and promote a culture of sustainable equality.
The “Wafira” project, launched in 2024 in partnership with Spain and ANAPEC, supported 250 Moroccan seasonal workers throughout all stages of their journey, from their departure for Spain to their socio-economic reintegration in Morocco. They were thus able to develop skills, create income-generating activities, and improve their living conditions and those of their families. In the provinces of Figuig, Oujda, Al-Hoceima, Larache, and Ouarzazate, the “Darna” project supports the employability of young women through training, professional integration, and the creation of solidarity-based entrepreneurial initiatives. This integrated approach aims to sustainably anchor economic autonomy in the territories.