Algiers, December 13, 2025 – Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, Youssef Belmahdi, today inaugurated a national conference on the prevention of violence against women and girls. The event, held at Dar El Imam in Algiers, was organized by the Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) office in Algeria.
In his opening address, Minister Belmahdi emphasized that all forms of violence, particularly against women and girls, are religiously and morally unacceptable. He stated that such acts are completely alien to the values of Algerian society and the tolerant teachings of Islam. He stressed that Islam honors women and establishes kindness and good treatment as the foundation of family and social relationships.
Belmahdi highlighted the need for concerted efforts across various institutions to address the challenges posed by current social transformations. He pointed to the danger of attacks on the intellect and the family unit, considering them a direct threat to the security and stability of society.
The Minister also acknowledged the crucial role of mosques, imams, and female religious guides in raising awareness, providing guidance, and promoting family reconciliation. He underscored the importance of a religious discourse based on wisdom, sound advice, and kind words, emulating the Prophet Muhammad’s example of gentleness. He also mentioned the awareness campaigns organized by the Ministry in mosques, Quranic schools, and Islamic cultural centers across the country.
Furthermore, Belmahdi praised the partnership with the UNFPA office, describing it as a model for constructive cooperation in the field of violence prevention. He announced a training program for imams and female religious guides aimed at enhancing their capacity to address domestic violence issues and protect women and girls. The program aims to produce practical recommendations that will be disseminated to mosques nationwide.
The head of the UNFPA office in Algeria, Faiza Ben Driss, lauded the strategic partnership with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments, considering it a successful example of integration between religious guidance and national and international efforts to promote social protection and preserve the dignity of women. She noted that this collaboration, which began years ago in supporting religious guidance on reproductive health issues, has contributed to the development of awareness programs and the accompaniment of female religious guides in disseminating a balanced and accurate discourse on sensitive issues.
