Throughout history women in many cultures were perceived as merely stay-at-home mothers and wives. In the 20th century, women in most nations were granted the right to vote and run for office, an opportunity for them to amend traditional views of their role in society. In Morocco, like in many other countries, and after decades of setbacks and struggles, women have come a long way to push for reforms and establish themselves more firmly in the political spectrum. - Safae Aghoutane reports.

In the beginning of the 90s there has been a remarkable increase in women's civil society activism pushing for legal and protective rights and lobbying for reforms.

Following the amendment of the Family Code by late King Hassan II in 1992, Moroccan women’s integration into politics comes true as two women entered parliament. 1997 was a watershed year in Morocco’s history as four women were designated by the late king as cabinet members in a thirty-member government.

Following a government reshuffle in 2002, the first woman minister was designated. She was in charge of women’s issues, childhood and the disabled. The same year was also marked by the assignment of three female ambassadors.

The adoption of the Family Code, whose broad lines were announced by King Mohammed VI in his address before Parliament on October 6, 2003 was considered by several observers as a real political and historical revolution.

With seven women ministers in the current government and some thirty-four MPs, Morocco, compared to other states in the region, is a country where women have made great strides in the political realm.


Moroccan society & women politicians

[Image]The Moroccan society is split on the issue of women's participation in the political life. “Since women integrated the business and professional life in general, it seems rational that they should take up their equitable share of political positions,” says Hanae, a student. “Women would bring a different set of values and experiences to politics, thus enriching the political life,” she adds.

Toufiq, a banker has a “deeply respect” for women politicians who show, according to him, “skill, perseverance and unflinching determination to succeed.” “Indeed citizens felt the sincerity and credibility of women to resolve some of the problems facing them,” he says.

Unlike Hanae and Toufiq, Abdullah, a shop keeper, offers a different viewpoint. “Women should stay at home. God entrusted them with the task of maintaining their home and taking care of their children. There is no such thing in our culture and thus there is no need to have a women actively engaged in the political action leading ultimately to managing people’s everyday life,” he adds.

For Ibrahim, a student, the reason why women should not be involved in politics stems from the fact that they are not physically and emotionally fit for this kind of activity, considered to involve too much “testosterone.” “Women, he says, cannot handle the stress and hardship of politics. They just wouldn’t make good politicians.”


June local elections…a key event!

The local elections due this June 12 are a significant opportunity to measure the result of years and years of the struggle of several movements advocating women’s rights and particularly their full, equal and effective participation in the political life.

“Moroccan women have made achievements in the economic, social and political fields. In order to preserve and continue our successful process, we have to be present in local councils,” a civil society activist and member of a political party says on condition of anonymity.

Beyond holding a symbolic seat in a town hall, women need to get truly involved in the management of people’s affairs and fight for women’s issues, this politician says. “We don’t want our presence in local councils to be symbolic. We have to prepare women who have experience and skills in managing local affairs,” she says. “Managing local affairs will provide us with what we are aspiring for, especially the guarantee of good governance.”

"Women MPs are more concerned with female’s issues. They also can have a key role in encouraging other women to get involved in politics,” she went on to say.

According to observers, despite significant gains made by the North African country on the legal front, it appears that the male-supremacist mentality, poverty, marginalization and illiteracy of Moroccan women are real obstacles to their participation in the management of local affairs.


Incentives to boost women’s local representation

In a speech he made before the members of the two chambers of the Moroccan Parliament at the opening of the first session of the second legislative year on October 10, 2008, king Mohammed VI called on both the government and Parliament to co-operate effectively in order to suggest efficient mechanisms to ensure that a greater number of women stand as candidates and are elected to local councils.

The main objective, the monarch said, "is to make sure women are fairly represented in local governments, and to enable local councils to benefit from the contributions of competent Moroccan women who are known for their integrity, pragmatism and concern for social well-being."

Accordingly, the government has taken steps to encourage women to stand for elections. Following a reform of the Commune Charter, a minimum quota of 12% will be allotted for female representation in the forthcoming elections, i.e. 2,822 seats out of 23,367 (compared to 127 female local representatives out of 24.000, i.e. 0, 56% in 2003).

“The quota system is not a setback, it emerged in response to the evident under-representation of women in the political arena and it is used by many countries,” a rights activist says.

On the institutional level, 10 million Dirhams (1.14 million U.S. Dollars) were allocated for setting up the Fund for Support to the Promotion of the Political Representation of Women. The fund, governed by a central committee comprising representatives of political parties, government representatives, and representatives of the civil society, is meant to increase women’s awareness of the political action and local management.

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news