Female Empowerment in Morocco: An Unfinished Progress

Morocco World

17-03-2025

In a speech on August 20, 1999, King Mohammed VI asked a thought-provoking question: How can we imagine the progress and prosperity of society if the interests of women, who make up almost half of that society, are not taken into account? This is particularly troubling given that Moroccan women have reached a level where they can compete with men in both education and the workforce.
The king's question serves as an excellent starting point for my discussion of women's contribution to public life. For one thing, it highlights two crucial facts: first, the existence of a high-level commitment to improving the status and rights of women , and second, the recognition of the injustices they still face due to the neglect of their interests and rights.
So, what is the problem? Is Morocco's persisting gender disparity a constitutional issue, a matter of legal frameworks, mechanisms for implementing laws, cultural heritage, or a deeply rooted patriarchal mindset? Before looking at the causes, it is worth reflecting on the current situation of women a quarter of a century after the royal speech. What is Moroccan women's economic, political and social situation today, and to what extent are they actively contributing in these areas?
In 2022, Morocco ranked 136th out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Ranking. This disappointingly low ranking can be attributed to several factors, including the lack of interest in women's issues by some political parties; the multiple forms of inequality between men and women, particularly in terms of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment; the limited economic empowerment of women; and the prevalence of violence against women.
At the political level, a study conducted in 2023 by the Moroccan Organization for Family Justice, with the support of the Fund for the Promotion of Women's Political Representation and in partnership with the Ministry of the Interior, revealed that 86.32% of women have never run for office. The same study showed that the percentage of women affiliated to political parties is only 8.49%.
In the latest elections held in Morocco in 2021, women represented 24% of parliamentary deputies, 38.5% of regional council members, and 26.64% of municipal council members. Notably, women represented 54% of the total votes cast in these elections, suggesting that women's votes do not primarily support female candidates, but rather go to male candidates, contributing to the marginalization of women in the political sphere.
Notable advances and pressing challenges
Awareness of the importance of women's political empowerment has grown within Moroccan society, as evidenced by several positive steps taken, such as constitutional provisions that explicitly guarantee equality in all areas, in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the two International Covenants to which Morocco is a signatory.
Morocco has also ratified several international conventions promoting gender equality, such as the CEDAW Convention. In addition, anti-discrimination laws and measures in favor of women, such as gender quotas, have been adopted. However, despite this progress, the representation of women in politics remains far from the global averages, as the political status of women reveals a significant gap between theoretical commitments and the actual situation on the ground.
There are many reasons for this, as highlighted by various studies, among which the following stand out : Many people, especially women, perceive politics as a daunting field and believe it's better to stay away from it.
A significant number of women lack confidence in their ability to engage in public affairs and fear participating in political activities or running for elections.
Women are sometimes excluded from electoral lists or placed at the bottom of these lists due to assumptions that they cannot garner votes, referring here to mixed lists.
Funding plays a crucial role in the electoral process at all stages, and the difficulty in accessing economic resources creates additional barriers for women.
The prevailing electoral climate negatively impacts women's active political participation, as it is marred by negative practices, corruption, and the misuse of money, leading to women's reluctance to engage in public affairs and politics.
Similar to other Arab societies, the Moroccan one, especially in some regions, reinforces traditional roles for women and men, limiting women's primary role to domestic duties.
Media representations of women often reinforce stereotypes that depict them as weak and lacking political ambition compared to men.
As I previously mentioned, some women adopt exclusionary practices against one another.
The role of women within the family directly influences their participation in public life; this is why the more their rights are strengthened within the family, the more positive the impact on their political participation. Hence, the need for an urgent reform of the Family Code.
These are just some of the many reasons, including the prevailing patriarchal mindset and the failure to effectively implement the relevant laws through best practices. A glaring example of this is the recent election of the President and Executive Bureau of the House of Counsellors, in which women were completely absent, in contradiction to the internal regulations of this House and the Moroccan Constitution, which stipulates equality in political rights. Unfortunately, as a high-level constitutional institution, the House of Counsellors should have set an example in promoting women's political empowerment.
Thus, there are multiple reasons that pose significant challenges that require collective efforts from all components of society to improve women's rights and empower them in political life. This begins with instilling a culture of democracy and equality within the community, as democracy and equality are first and foremost cultural values before they become practices.
Young women should receive political and human rights education and gradually engage in political work in order to gain the necessary experience and be adequately equipped to face electoral battles and to assert themselves in local, regional and national governance. Women's participation in political and public affairs is key to empowering them to influence public policies and contribute to the development of the country.
With regard to the economic sector, which is primarily concerned with employment, it can be said that at the executive level, which is linked to the political sphere since ministers are appointed by the parties in power, women had to wait until the 1997 government to see the first four female ministers appointed. This number has fluctuated over the years, and there are currently seven women ministers with significant and non-traditional portfolios, marking a shift from being mere secretaries of state working under the mandate of male ministers to being recognized as full ministers in their own right.
In terms of appointments to senior positions, women represent 19.86% in ministerial sectors, 6.34% in universities and training institutions, and 15.33% in public institutions. Overall, the percentage of women in the civil service is 41.22%, while the percentage of women in managerial positions is 28.17%. In general, the employment rate of women is 19.5%, with wages 20% lower than those of men in the same positions. The unemployment rate for women is significantly higher, exceeding that of men by four percentage points. Among these women, 53% do not work because of domestic responsibilities, 18% do not want to work, 12% face family opposition, 3% cite a lack of job opportunities, and 15% give various other reasons.
In conclusion, we cannot deny that there has been progress in the advancement of women's rights in Morocco, driven by the efforts and struggles of women's movements and progressive forces, as well as a high level of commitment to respond to and support these demands. However, significant challenges remain, as evidenced by the various reasons mentioned above, which must be addressed in order to advance women's rights and ensure them the place they deserve, especially in the political sphere and in decision-making roles.
This aspiration goes beyond mere rights and political considerations, as it also concerns women's participation in all aspects of life in society, which has significant implications for development and economic growth, as increased female participation can contribute significantly to boost a country's gross domestic product. Additionally, women exhibit higher standards of ethical behavior, according to a study by the World Bank titled 'Corruption and Women in Government,' indicating that women are more invested in the public good and their management practices are associated with lower-level corruption. Tags: women empowerirngwomen empowerment