Naima Ibn Yahya: The Male Mentality Hinders the Enhancement of Women’s Political Representation
Naima Ibn Yahya, Minister of Solidarity, Social Integration, and Family, stated that the male mentality, both among men and women, presents one of the most significant obstacles to achieving adequate political representation for women in Morocco. She noted that many women lack confidence in their abilities, despite the opportunities offered by political parties to engage in political work.
During her response to oral questions in the House of Representatives regarding women’s political participation, Ibn Yahya highlighted the low interest of women in entering political life, despite available opportunities. She acknowledged the elected women through both national and local lists and praised the statements of party leaders expressing their willingness to increase female representation within local councils.
Regarding the ministry’s programs, the government official referred to organizing awareness-raising sessions for political parties and civil society organizations to emphasize the importance of women’s involvement in political life and to strengthen their presence within elected institutions.
She affirmed that women’s political participation is a strategic priority within the government’s and ministry’s programs, considering it a fundamental pillar for entrenching the principles of equality and enhancing democratic values. She stressed that empowering women, particularly in the political arena, is a pivotal social issue necessary for achieving genuine gender equality.
Ibn Yahya clarified that the ministry launched an extensive consultation process in July 2025 with various stakeholders to deepen the discussion on ways to expand political participation and elevate women’s presence in decision-making positions.
She added that this process included several stages, starting with the House of Representatives through consultation with the temporary thematic group on equality and parity, followed by a consultative session with the women’s organizations of political parties, and later meetings with civil society organizations to address the challenges facing women’s political participation and propose practical solutions to enhance their representation ahead of the upcoming electoral contests.
The minister stated that this process culminated in organizing the first national conference on “Women’s Participation in the Political Process as a Lever to Entrench Values of Equality and Parity” in October 2025, in partnership with UN Women, involving various institutional, political, and civil stakeholders, aiming to establish a national contract to enhance women’s political participation.
In the same context, Ibn Yahya announced the launch of the “Participation” program, aimed at supporting women’s involvement in the political process in anticipation of the 2026 and 2027 elections, by strengthening the capacities of political parties and civil society. She explained that the program is divided into a section dedicated to the 2026 parliamentary elections and another for the 2027 local elections, with a particular focus on the House of Councillors.
She also pointed out that several activities are planned, including coordination with the women’s sectors of political parties regarding training sessions, launching a national awareness campaign to combat stereotypes and discrimination related to politics, and conducting studies in partnership with universities to evaluate the electoral process and seek new mechanisms to enhance women’s political representation, confirming the intention to organize a second national conference on the subject.
