With Morocco set to hold legislative elections in 2026, political discussions are intensifying around reforms to increase women’s representation in the House of Representatives.
The Istiqlal Party’s women’s wing has proposed raising the share of women in Parliament from 24% to one-third as part of a broader policy memo the party is preparing in response to King Mohammed VI’s Throne Day speech, which urged inclusive pre-election consultation.
Khadija Zoumi, president of the Independence Women’s Organization, said the one-third target aligns with Article 19 of the Constitution, which enshrines gender parity as a national objective. Speaking to Hespress, Zoumi outlined several pathways, including national or regional party lists, women-only local constituencies, or adapting methods used in regional elections.
“Parliamentary empowerment is not a political luxury but a necessary response to persistent structural barriers,” she said, emphasizing merit over party affiliation as the basis for women’s political advancement.
Zoumi called on all parties to make public their proposals on gender inclusion. She also praised women’s consistent participation in legislative committee work, noting their institutional credibility.
Morocco has made gradual progress on female political representation since the 2011 Constitution. The number of women in the House rose from 67 in 2011 to 95 in the 2021 elections, with 90 elected through regional lists and six through local races.
Despite these gains, Morocco ranks 99th globally in women’s parliamentary representation, according to the July 2025 IPU Parline index, with women occupying 24.3% of the 395 seats in the lower house.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.