At the tip of North Africa, gazing across the Mediterranean towards southern Europe, Morocco is a spellbinding, perfumed nation of long hot days and balmy nights. Its cities are frenetic sensory explosions while more remote parts of the country and the coast slumber and set their clocks a century slower.
Morocco is the third most populous Arab country and most Moroccans are Sunni Muslims of Berber, Arab or mixed Arab-Berber ethnicity, who coexist peacefully with around 100,000 Christians and 5,000 Jews. Morocco spices Arabic tradition with touches of Europe and Africa and its own ancient Berber culture, and the situation of the nation’s women is equally multi-layered and mixed.
It would seem that city and rural lives in Morocco are a world, if not a galaxy apart. In the cities, women work and study, yet 80% of rural Moroccan women are illiterate, according to The United Nations Development Program.
Moroccan Fashion Statements
When it comes to first impressions, women can be seen on the streets of Marrakech, Fez or Casablanca in an array of clothing. Although chadras (veils) are rare, the traditional jelaba (an ankle-length, long-sleeved, gown) and foulard (a scarf worn over the hair and fastened under the chin) are typically worn in cities by older and unemployed women. City teenagers generally prefer casual western clothes (including miniskirts) and upcoming professional women tend to dress in Western-style business suits. Women dress considerably more traditionally and conservatively in rural areas.
Women and Work
Most men and women work together in Morocco’s major cities; in a range of industries, from banks to stores, bakeries to schools, and sometimes even government offices. More than half of Morocco’s female labour-force works in the textiles industry. Around 10% are housekeepers, or femmes de menage, the majority of whom are single, and often illiterate and who earn their board and lodgings in addition to a relatively humble salary. Many start work as young as 14. In contrast, a married Moroccan woman must get her husband’s permission before seeking a job.
In major cities such as Casablanca, women, by all accounts, generally earn as much as men. However, you’re unlikely to see a female stall-owner at the souq or women driving taxis.
Moroccan families often have a femme de menage to keep their houses, but for those who don’t, the wife ensures the smooth and efficient running of the home: the cleaning and the cooking and the kids, sometimes on top of a day job. This can be a challenge, especially during the holidays! Men don’t generally get involved with household chores, although they alone are responsible for the killing of any animals that are destined for the dinner table.
Five of Morocco’s Most Famous Women…
Fatima Al Fihria (b. around 830).
Founded the University of Al Karaouine in Fez, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest university.
Zaynab, Queen of Marrakech (b. 1039).
Married Youssef Ibn Tachfin, founder of the Almoravid Dynasty and helped her husband in all his heroic conquests.
Souad Sbai (b.1952).
First Muslim woman to meet Pope Benedict XVI.
Nawal El Moutawakel (b.1962).
Winner of inaugural women’s 400 m hurdles event at the 1984 Summer Olympics, making her the first Muslim and African female Olympic champion.
Meryem Chadid (b.1969).
Astronomer and the first woman in the world to reach the South Pole.
