Mohamed Khetouch: "The Ouaouzgite Carpet Festival serves as a platform to enhance economic empowerment for women weavers"

Mohamed Khetouch, Festival Director and President of Ouarzazate Events Association, emphasized in his speech that the event aims to enhance the socio-economic empowerment of women weavers as the beating heart of traditional crafts in the region.

Khetouch explained that the festival seeks to highlight the role of women weavers in preserving local cultural heritage and developing their skills to meet modern market requirements. He added that the women behind Oauzguite carpet production play a pivotal role in securing sustainable income for their families, thereby strengthening their social status.

Khetouch noted that the festival program will include specialized workshops and training sessions for women weavers, along with meetings with marketing and management experts to help them improve product quality and expand distribution networks.

He affirmed that the Oauzguite carpet is not merely a traditional product but a symbol of regional cultural identity, stressing the need to promote it as a global brand. The seventh edition will welcome national and international delegations of traditional craft experts, creating opportunities for partnerships and new marketing avenues.

Khetouch also emphasized the importance of engaging youth and local stakeholders in supporting the traditional crafts sector, noting the festival's role in making Oauzguite carpets an effective tool for sustainable local development.

Concluding his remarks, Mohamed Khetouch called for strengthened cooperation between local actors, public institutions, and professional associations to ensure the sustainability of traditional crafts and support women weavers, thereby advancing traditional crafts as a vital sector for Draa-Tafilalet's development.
 

Source: Draa Info