Women in Moroccan legislative elections: Political competition or challenging 'male dominance'?

As legislative elections approach in Morocco, the nomination of women candidates by political parties is under scrutiny, highlighting a persistent struggle against entrenched "masculine dominance" in the political sphere. While parties are expected to show courage in fielding female candidates, this remains a limited choice for most, constrained by cultural and social factors that impede progress.

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Masculine thought is present in elections and represents a structural factor in our society.

These challenges are particularly pronounced in rural electoral districts, where a strong patriarchal culture dictates that women's place is in the home, not parliament. Male candidates often exploit these conservative views to maintain their long-held dominance. In contrast, urban constituencies, such as Casablanca, demonstrate a higher level of awareness, with voters increasingly choosing candidates based on merit rather than gender, leading to women securing parliamentary seats.

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We should not reduce all manifestations of discrimination against women to 'masculine thought' alone; there is also illiteracy, ignorance, and poverty, which are factors that greatly affect society.

Nabila Mounib, deputy secretary-general of the Unified Socialist Party, acknowledges the structural presence of "masculine thought" in elections but argues that combating it requires legal reforms and public awareness campaigns. She cautions against attributing all discrimination against women solely to "masculine thought," pointing to illiteracy, ignorance, and poverty as equally impactful societal factors. Mounib also warns against generalizations, distinguishing between dedicated, educated women politicians with a genuine agenda and those who engage in corrupt practices like vote-buying.

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There are women who have joined administrative parties and engaged in practices that are no different from the practices we criticize among some men, including vote buying and seeking electoral seats without having a real project.

Aminaa Maâlainine, a member of the Justice and Development Party, differentiates between women candidates who benefit from established family political legacies and those facing broader societal obstacles. She notes that in some districts, women run to "succeed" established political families, suggesting a complex interplay of tradition and ambition in women's political engagement.

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The first dimension relates to women who are running within the framework of an existing electoral and family legacy.