إطلاق البرنامج الوطني "رعايــة" لمواكبة الأطفال والشباب بمؤسسات الرعاية الاجتماعية بعد سن 18 سنة

On Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Bouregreg Conference Palace in Salé, Ms. Naïma Benyahia, Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family, chaired the launch of the national program “Rayaa” (Care). This program targets children and young people preparing to leave social welfare institutions upon reaching the age of 18. The event was attended by several members of the government, officials, representatives of national and international organizations, and civil society activists. The meeting was also attended by Ms. Laila bint Ahmed bin Awad Al-Najjar, Minister of Social Development of the Sultanate of Oman, as a guest of honor, along with Mr. Amine Tahraoui, Minister of Health and Social Protection; Mr. Younes Sekkouri, Minister of Economic Integration, Small Businesses, Employment, and Skills; Mr. Azzedine Medaoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation; Mr. Abdeljabbar Rachdi, Secretary of State for Social Integration; and Ms. Laura Bell, UNICEF Representative in Morocco. The launch of the national “Rayaa” program comes within the framework of implementing the Royal Directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God grant him victory, which call for strengthening the foundations of the social state and enshrining the principles of social justice and equal opportunities, particularly for vulnerable groups. It also falls within the framework of continuing the implementation of the social protection initiative and enhancing the child protection system. This program focuses on supporting children and young people both within and after leaving social welfare institutions by providing integrated services that include social and psychological support, educational guidance, and support for their academic and vocational training. It also includes the development of an individualized “life project” for each beneficiary, which promotes their independence and facilitates their social and professional integration. In her address on the occasion, the Minister emphasized that the launch of the “Rayaa” program is part of consolidating the pillars of the social state, in accordance with the Royal Directives that give special attention to protecting and improving the conditions of children. This Royal directive reinforces the personal commitment of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem to guaranteeing and promoting children's rights, with particular attention to children and young people in need of special care. She emphasized that this program is the result of collaborative work between various government sectors and active associations, aimed at finding tangible solutions for young people after they leave social welfare institutions. She also stressed the importance of these institutions in providing basic care for children, while acknowledging the need to support this group during their transition to independence, especially given the challenges associated with social and professional integration. In this context, she highlighted that the program targets approximately 780 young men and women, distributed across some 50 social welfare institutions nationwide, by providing social and psychological support and integration services, in addition to strengthening the capacities of associations. The program adopts a rights-based approach that also seeks to combat stereotypes and promote the dignity of beneficiaries. She affirmed that this initiative embodies a collective responsibility to ensure that no child or young person is excluded from the path of integration and development. In his address, Mr. Amine Tahraoui, Minister of Health and Social Protection, affirmed that investing in childhood and youth is a fundamental pillar of human development. He highlighted the health sector's commitment to this endeavor through strengthening prevention and treatment services, developing awareness and health education programs, and supporting training and skills development in the health field. This opens new horizons for this demographic and promotes equal access to services. Mr. Younes Sekkouri, Minister of Economic Integration, Micro-Enterprise, Employment, and Skills, emphasized that integrating this group is a collective responsibility. He affirmed that the government is working to enhance the employability of young people, particularly those without qualifications, by expanding the list of professions and providing training and vocational integration opportunities, thus contributing to their economic empowerment. For his part, Mr. Azzedine Medaoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, stressed that the post-18 age stage presents a challenge requiring continuous support. He highlighted the importance of scientific research and the humanities in understanding this demographic and supporting their integration by mobilizing academic expertise and developing knowledge related to childhood and youth issues. For his part, Mr. Abdeljabbar Rachdi, Secretary of ...