The Democratic Association of Moroccan Women warns parties against continued political marginalization of women
The Democratic Association of Moroccan Women has warned of the ongoing underrepresentation of women in decision-making political positions, stating that Morocco ranks 101st globally in women’s participation in parliaments, despite 15 years having passed since the adoption of the Moroccan constitution, which established the principles of equality and parity.
In an open letter addressed to the secretaries-general of political parties, the association emphasized that women constitute less than a quarter of the members of the House of Representatives (24.3%), and about 11-12% in the House of Councillors, while the percentage of women’s membership in political parties is only 8-9%, even though they represent more than half of the electorate.
The association noted that parties still treat women’s participation as occasional or seasonal, and that the support allocated to women’s party sectors is weak, which limits women’s access to electoral positions and delays the realization of parity on the ground.
The association called on political parties to take concrete and clear measures ahead of the upcoming elections on September 23, 2026, including nominating women at a rate of no less than 30% in reserved constituencies, setting clear criteria for selecting candidates based on competence and responsibility, providing material and moral support for women’s party sectors, ensuring democratic determination of female candidates’ names through a charter linking accountability to responsibility, and establishing a communication strategy to promote female leadership and connect women’s political empowerment to democracy and sustainable development.
The association stated that the continuation of this situation undermines the credibility of the democratic process and highlights the slow pace of reform, urging parties to take effective action to bridge the gap between political rhetoric and practical application.
