For the first time in Morocco's history, 19 women have qualified as civil servants, pan-Arab daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat reports. Previously only men could qualify as civil servants in Morocco.
According to the daily, the 19 women are among 107 new civil servants who qualified on Tuesday in the city of Quneitra, 40 kilometres north of the Moroccan capital, Rabat.
"The presence of women in the civil service reinforces our government's policies aimed at building a modern and democratic society where women and men are equal," said Morocco's Interior Minister Shakib Binumsi.
Binumsi vowed these and other women will in the future be able to reach senior positions in the country's civil service.
Fouzia Amansar in October 2006 became the first female governor of the prefecture of Ain Chock, Casablanca. She was appointed by to the post by King Mohammed VI.