Moroccan women continue to face harsh realities, with their plight worsening under the indifference of the Moroccan regime. Instead of being heard and supported by state policies, their voices are often met with repression, arbitrary arrests, and punitive measures—treating their fight for dignity and social justice as a punishable offense.
On the occasion of National Day for Struggling Women on December 11, the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) issued a statement shedding light on the dire state of women’s rights in the country. The association highlighted that Moroccan women, whether in impoverished urban areas or marginalized rural communities, have been at the forefront of struggles for basic rights such as access to land, water, healthcare, and development. Despite their relentless efforts, legislative policies remain inadequate and riddled with discriminatory practices, rendering women’s demands for equality mere echoes within the confines of ineffective laws and intentional governmental neglect.
The association’s statement emphasized that Moroccan women live under widespread and deepening violations of their rights across all sectors. This has fueled their active participation in protests and social movements throughout the country, including urban poverty belts and isolated villages, where women lead demonstrations against systemic neglect and call for fundamental rights.
In commemorating the life and legacy of activist Saida Menebhi, who died in prison on December 11, 1977, after a 36-day hunger strike, the AMDH paid tribute to women who continue to endure repression and incarceration for their activism. Women from impoverished communities and remote areas, often at the forefront of protests, face brutal crackdowns, harassment, and unjust prosecutions as they demand justice and equity.
On civil rights, the association criticized the state’s legislative policies, noting that they remain entrenched in a culture of inequality and discrimination. Constitutional provisions regarding gender equality and adherence to international conventions are undermined by political conditions that fail to provide a strong foundation for combating discrimination. This flawed framework impacts laws that are central to the feminist and human rights movements’ agendas, reinforcing systemic inequality.
The statement also underscored the government’s responsibility for the deaths of activists like Saida Menebhi during hunger strikes or protests. It saluted the resilience of mothers, wives, and sisters of detainees from movements such as the Rif Hirak protests, condemning the harassment they endure and calling for the unconditional release of all detained activists.
The AMDH warned that the government’s continued disregard for women’s rights and suppression of their activism only exacerbates public discontent. It stressed that Moroccan women have consistently demonstrated their ability to lead struggles under the most challenging conditions and will not cease their pursuit of justice and equality. The association urged the authorities to acknowledge that ignoring women’s demands is unsustainable and that genuine reform begins with fairness and securing their fundamental rights.
Saida Menebhi, a poet and activist, remains a symbol of resistance. Arrested for her anti-regime activities, she was sentenced to seven years in prison. Her tragic death in Casablanca prison in 1977 continues to resonate as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in the fight for justice and equality in Morocco.
