HENAN HARIT

Morocco- The results of the general elections held in Morocco on September 8 reveal that more women want to take part in politics. Women won 92 seats out of 395 seats in the Moroccan Chamber of Representatives, 24% of seats. The number and parties of women in the new parliament are: 16 from the National Rally of Independents, 13 from the Istiqlal or Independent Party, 12 from the Authenticity and Modernity Party, 11 the Socialist Union of Popular Forces, 10 from the Party of Progress and Socialism, nine from the Justice and Development Party, eight from the Popular Movement, five from the Constitutional Union, two from the Front of Democratic Forces, two from the Democratic and Social Movement, one from the Unified Socialist Party and one from the Federation of the Democratic Left.

“Women will make a difference”

Latifa Sharif, who won a parliamentary seat for the Socialist Union of Popular Forces, told us the results of the 2021 general elections are a victory of women in the country. “Women will make a difference in the parliament. The number of women in the parliament should be more.”

“The results in the last elections are insufficient”

Professor Rokia Achmal, a member of the National Council of the Istiqlal Party, stressed that there are some developments that pave the way for women's participation in the elections, “However, the results in the last elections are insufficient. The criteria of the party that make it difficult for Moroccan women to become candidates should be removed.”

Women are not included in decision-making mechanisms

Amina Toubali, a member of the Equality Coalition, pointed to the male-dominant society, “Political parties don’t trust women and include them in decision-making mechanisms. We cannot make progress without women’s participation in decision-making positions. We should change the patriarchal mentality in society to achieve equality in the country.”