Working-class women revolt: gendered political economy in Morocco

Abstract

The discourse centring on reforms in Morocco has been largely shaped by the sources of power, namely the palace and its allies. Since Mohammed VI's accession to the throne, women's rights have consistently been framed within this neoliberal discourse. Pointing to various measures, such as the personal status code law reforms, the dominant narrative describes Morocco as a ‘progressive’ country with regard to the treatment of women. Additionally, following decades of neoliberal policies initiated under King Hassan II, the liberalisation of both the political and economic system has led to a series of consequences for the Moroccan working class, especially women. Within the past two years, in light of the demands for democratic reforms, the plight of working-class women has gained greater attention, especially following the self-immolation of single mother Fadoua Laroui and the suicide of Amina Filali, a young rape victim forced into a marriage with her rapist. Looking back on years of neoliberal economic policies as well as the political liberalisation measures King Mohammed VI instituted, working-class women in Morocco remain marginalised. The disenfranchisement of working-class women has grown even more evident following their active participation in the February 20 Movement, which was Morocco's version of the uprisings in the region. Contextualising the impact of neoliberal economic policies and measures of political liberalisation on class- and gender-based inequalities, this paper will evaluate how working-class women in Morocco remain marginalised.