Lamia Bazir

Lamia Bazir
Born (1990-11-06) November 6, 1990
El Jadida, Morocco
Education
Known forSocial entrepreneurship
TitleFounder and CEO of Empowering Women in the Atlas (EWA)
MovementWomen activist
Websitehttps://lamiabazir.com/

Lamia Bazir (born 6 November 1990), is a Moroccan government official, women and youth activist, and social entrepreneur. She is the founder of the non-profit Empowering Women in the Atlas (EWA), which aims to promote the leadership of rural women in Morocco.[1] Bazir served as the Executive Director of the National Observatory for the Rights of the Child (ONDE) from 2018 to 2023, and as a Government Officer in the Office of the Head of Government of Morocco between 2014 and 2017. Her activities have earned her recognition, including the Harvey Picker Prize for Public Service from the Columbia University SIPA and the United Nations Volunteering Award.[2]

Early life and education

Bazir was born on 6 November 1990, in El Jadida, Morocco. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Al Akhawayn University in 2012, where she was the Student Valedictorian.[3] She subsequently completed a Master's in International Development from Sciences Po Paris in France in 2013, and a Master of International Affairs from School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University in USA in 2014. Additionally, she completed an Executive Program at Harvard Kennedy School from 2016 to 2017.[4]

Career

In 2011, Bazir worked as a Political Analyst for the Arab League in Paris, France. In 2012, Bazir founded her social venture, Empowering Women in the Atlas (EWA), a non-profit organization dedicated to rural women's leadership.[5]

Between 2013 and 2014, she served as a Representative to the ECOSOC in New York, reportedly she was involved in development of SDGs. She also worked as a Consultant for Transparency International on Women and Corruption, including conducting field research in Niger.[6] In 2014, Bazir was awarded the Harvey Picker Prize for Public Service from the Columbia University SIPA. She was also a Fellow of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).[7]

From 2014 to 2017, Bazir served as a Government Officer in the Office of the Head of Government of Morocco.[8] In September 2018, she was appointed Executive Director of the Observatoire National Des Droits de l'Enfant (ONDE) or the National Observatory for the Rights of the Child, a national institution chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, a role she held until April 2023.[9] She also served as a Senior Advisor to the National Union of Moroccan Women from 2022 to 2023.

EWA

Lamia Bazir founded Empowering Women in the Atlas (EWA) in 2012 while she was an undergraduate student. The organization was created to promote the leadership and socioeconomic independence of rural women in the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco.[1]

Through EWA, Bazir mobilized youth volunteers and secured funding for key initiatives. A central project is the Hammam Community Center in the village of Adghagh.[10] The center is managed by the local women's association and benefits local population. EWA's Youth Exchange Program was established in collaboration with the Municipality of Tingvoll in Norway. In September 2016, EWA launched the Rural Women Entrepreneurship Program, which trained rural women in entrepreneurship, financial autonomy, and environmental awareness.[5]

Recognitions

  • 2015: Recipient of the United Nations Volunteering Award.[3]
  • 2016: Named among the 60 Most Influential Women in Morocco by Challenge Magazine.[11]
  • 2018: Selected as a Young Arab Leader.[6]
  • 2019: Selected among the 100 Most Influential Young Africans.[12]
  • 2021: Among the most distinguished Women Change Makers in Africa.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b "Lamia Bazir is rethinking social entrepreneurship in Morocco". Wamda. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  2. ^ a b souad-anouar (2022-04-07). "Humanitarian Awards Global Celebrates Morocco's Lamia Bazir". Morocco World News. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  3. ^ a b mwn (2015-01-21). "Moroccan Woman Wins United Nations Volunteering Award". Morocco World News. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  4. ^ Maisterra, Pauline (2017-12-06). "Lamia Bazir, l'étoile montante du Maroc moderne". Femmes du Maroc (in French). Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  5. ^ a b mwn (2016-11-18). "Launch of Initiative to Empower Moroccan Rural Women in Atlas Region". Morocco World News. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  6. ^ a b "Morocco's Lamia Bazir Named to Prestigious List of 'Global Humanitarian Awards' – morocco24" (in French). Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  7. ^ challenge (2019-04-19). "50 femmes qui comptent au Maroc : Lamia Bazir, directrice exécutive de l'ONDE". Challenge.ma (in French). Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  8. ^ Consonews, Journaliste (2022-04-06). "La marocaine Lamia Bazir sur la prestigieuse liste des Humanitarian Awards Global pour l'année 2020-2021 | Consonews - Premier site consommation au Maroc". consonews.ma (in French). Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  9. ^ Presse (MAP), Agence Maghreb Arabe (2019-11-23). "Lalla Meryem a présidé une cérémonie à Marrakech". LeSiteinfo.com (in French). Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  10. ^ Lavieeco (2017-09-26). "Leadership de la femme rurale : Questions à Lamia Bazir, Présidente de «Empowering Women in Atlas»". La Vie éco (in French). Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  11. ^ mwn (2016-03-04). "Moroccan Magazine Challenge Publishes a List of 60 Women Leaders of Morocco". Morocco World News. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  12. ^ jennifer-morgan-hekking (2019-10-04). "Two Moroccan Women on 100 Most Influential Young Africans Ranking". Morocco World News. Retrieved 2025-12-08.

Further reading

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