HENAN HARIT

Morocco- As discussions on representation and equality in politics continue in Morocco, the country’s general elections will be held on September 8. Moroccan women want to be visible in the upcoming elections. NuJINHA team spoke to Moroccan women about their demands for the elections.

“The mentality must change”

Amina Toubali, member of the “Equality Now (French: Parité Maintenant)” collective, talked about the presence of Moroccan women in politics; “The number of women in politics is still insufficient. And this is the problem of political parties that need to change their mentality. The number of women was zero in the beginning but we manage to change this thanks to the struggle of women, progressive movement, and equal rights advocates. We believe in judicial reform and sovereignty should be mentioned in laws.”

Call for unity to end injustice

Morocco is going to have decisive elections; Amina Toubali said that all political parties should eliminate discrimination against women. Addressing all political parties in the country, Amina Toubali said, “Participate in collective, local and legal elections. Exhibit a gender-equal attitude.” Amina Toubali also emphasized that all parties and unions should unite to end injustice against women and to make the voices of women heard in the elections.

“We are against discriminatory struggles”

The Equality Now demanded equal representation in the elections in Morocco. Mounassafa Daba Zainaba Ben Hammou, a researcher working on women’s issues and reforms, talked about the demand of the collective, “The demand should be activated according to the legal procedure. Undoubtedly, we need to struggle. First of all, we must defend our gains. Then, we should win our gains. Although it has been 10 years since the 2011 constitution, we are now waiting for the equality committee to be formed. Women’s representation should be strengthened. We are against all kinds of struggles that discriminate against women.”