The Struggle for Economic Empowerment: Why Moroccan Women Face an Uphill Battle
International rankings paint a concerning picture of women’s economic empowerment in Morocco. While progress has been made, the country’s position in global indices, such as the Global Gender Gap Report, remains disappointingly low. This begs the question: why does the reality for Moroccan women seem to lag behind international aspirations? This disparity between global benchmarks and local conditions fuels ongoing debate, especially around International Women’s Day, as activists and policymakers grapple with the complexities of achieving genuine economic equality.
One key factor contributing to this challenge is the persistent gender gap in labor force participation. While men enjoy significantly higher rates of employment, Moroccan women face numerous barriers to entering and remaining in the workforce. These obstacles include societal expectations that prioritize women’s domestic roles, limited access to quality education and vocational training, and occupational segregation, which often confines women to lower-paying jobs. For example, according to the World Bank, the female labor force participation rate in Morocco was only 20.7% in 2022, compared to 66.3% for men. This stark difference highlights the urgent need for interventions that address the root causes of this disparity.
Furthermore, discriminatory practices and legal frameworks can hinder women’s economic advancement. While Morocco has made strides in reforming family law and promoting gender equality in certain sectors, challenges remain in ensuring equal pay for equal work, protecting women from workplace harassment, and providing adequate childcare support. These systemic issues create an uneven playing field
