Why is the role of local and regional authorities essential in promoting, realizing, and respecting human rights?
Local governments play an essential role in promoting sustainable development and defending citizens' rights. Proximity governance enables effective implementation of sectoral policies and government programs across civil, political, social, and economic rights—combating poverty, intolerance, discrimination, exclusion, insecurity, and environmental degradation, all in service of peace and coexistence.
Cities, as spaces of local democracy, also serve as platforms for public education, advocating for the Right to the City, social inclusion, and peaceful urban living. They combat all forms of social inequality and actively promote peace and public safety.
Thanks to participatory approaches between elected officials and citizens, the local level is uniquely positioned to assess the human rights landscape, identify everyday challenges, and implement effective, lasting solutions.
Why are human rights relevant values and a useful framework for guiding local action?
The city must be a shared space that guarantees a dignified life socially, politically, culturally, economically, and environmentally. There is no true democracy or good governance at any political level without the respect of human rights. Local governments face human rights issues daily, and local public servants are closest to citizens' needs.
Good governance is rights-based governance with a macro-level perspective. Upholding human rights obligations strengthens local democracy across all levels.
Joining the campaign provides an international platform for exchanging experiences and best practices among local governments, institutional actors, international organizations, development agencies, civil society, and the private sector. It fosters solidarity, cooperation, and dialogue between cities and regions, and supports the local, regional, continental, and international implementation of human rights.
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Pilot Membership in the Pan-African Campaign “Rabat: A City Without Children in Street Situations” – Later renamed “Rabat, a City that Protects Its Children”
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Establishment of the Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Gender Mainstreaming Committee – As part of Rabat’s completion of its representative structures involving civil society and local governance.
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Membership in the UN Women Network – Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Initiative – In March 2015, Rabat became the 20th city to join the global initiative with the project: "Rabat: A Safe City Free from Violence Against Women and Girls"
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Membership in the International Observatory on Living Together – Rabat engages in strategic projects focused on women and girls in public spaces, and on protecting, listening to, and guiding vulnerable populations, with the strategic goal of making the city a shared, peaceful, tolerant, and intercultural living space.