Moroccan Women: Breaking Barriers, Making History

Marrakech – March 8 is a day to celebrate our power, resilience, and undeniable impact. 

And if you’re a Moroccan woman, you’re part of a legacy of game-changers. 

Let’s take a moment to recognize the strides we’ve made, backed by numbers, facts, and real wins.

Power in politics and business 

Moroccan women are making history in government and business.

As of 2021, women held 30% of ministerial positions, a huge jump from just 12.8% in 2011. This represents the progress being made in political representation.

More than 35% of Morocco’s ambassadors are women, proudly representing the country across four continents.

In the business world, Moroccan women dominate the region. Nezha Hayat has made her mark as Morocco’s Capital Market Authority, Salwa Akhannouch built a fashion empire, and Miriem Bensalah Chaqroun was the first woman to head the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises for eight years. 

Morocco has also made history by becoming the first country in the MENA region to enforce quotas for female representation on corporate boards, targeting 30% by 2024 and 40% by 2027.

Women in leadership — But we want more

Here’s the reality check: Moroccan women are stepping up, but challenges remain. While we celebrate these achievement, there is still work to be done.

Women now hold over 53% of government positions, yet key sectors still face major gender gaps. For instance, only 18% of leadership roles in the justice sector are held by women, 19% in National Education, and a shocking 7% in Prison Administration (Morocco Mirror). These figures show that we still have much more to accomplish.

Moroccan women in sports, arts & activism

We’ve always had female icons in Moroccan history. Fatima Al-Fihri, for example, founded the world’s first university, Al-Qarawiyyin, in the 9th century. Nawal El Moutawakel sprinted into history as the first Arab and African woman to win Olympic gold. 

Modern-day Moroccan women are now breaking into arts, media, and activism, as more women than ever before stepping into these spaces and claiming their place in the spotlight.

The future is female

Morocco’s New Development Model is betting on women to drive the economy and contribute to the country’s development. 

Today, only 22% of Moroccan women participate in the workforce, but the goal is to reach 45% by 2035. 

The plan? Eliminate social constraints, boost education for girls and women, and enforce gender equality laws (Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

What’s next?

The progress we have made is undeniable, but it’s not enough. We need more women in boardrooms, more in politics, and more in STEM fields.

It’s time for more Moroccan women taking their rightful place at the top of every sector. 

So today, let’s celebrate our wins — but let’s also raise our voices and demand more.

Happy Women’s Day, queens!