Activists cite structural barriers as Moroccan women fall behind in labor market

Morocco’s national unemployment rate dipped slightly in the second quarter of 2025, but women continue to face worsening job prospects, with the female unemployment rate climbing to 19.9%, new government data shows.

Figures released by the High Commission for Planning (HCP) show that overall unemployment dropped from 13.1% to 12.8% year-over-year. But while the rate for men declined from 11.7% to 10.8%, the rate for women rose sharply—from 17.7% to 19.9%.

The growing gender gap underscores persistent barriers women face in accessing Morocco’s labor market, despite government efforts to promote economic inclusion.

Samira Mouhiya, president of the Federation of Women’s Rights Association, said the overall improvement masks deep, structural challenges that continue to exclude women and youth from meaningful employment.

“Unemployment remains extremely high for women,” Mouhiya said. “This reflects a lack of political will to create decent jobs that uphold dignity and respond to the needs of vulnerable groups.”

She highlighted the poor working conditions many women face, particularly in rural and agricultural sectors, where jobs often lack fair wages, safety standards, and social protections.

Mouhiya also criticized inadequate infrastructure and unsafe transportation for female agricultural workers, which she said have led to fatal accidents and signal broader state neglect of social and human aspects in policy-making.

Despite a series of government programs aimed at empowering women economically, Mouhiya dismissed many as ineffective, blaming weak coordination, outdated approaches, and a disconnect from current social and economic realities.

She also criticized the government’s gender equality plans, launched in 2012, for being ideologically rigid and reinforcing traditional gender roles, thus limiting women’s full participation in the workforce.

Morocco’s new development model aims to increase the female economic activity rate to 45% by 2035, but Mouhiya said the plan lacks clear mechanisms and suffers from poor implementation at the local level.

She called for gender-sensitive public policies, targeted training and funding for women, better support for women entrepreneurs, and the expansion of social protections such as childcare and safe transportation.

Mouhiya also advocated for recognition of unpaid domestic work and a revised job classification system that accounts for all forms of women’s labor.

Najiya Tazrout, president of the Injad Network Against Gender-Based Violence, echoed these concerns, calling the persistent gender gap a reflection of structural inequality and discriminatory labor practices.

“The absence of a gender-focused economic vision continues to sideline women from the labor market,” Tazrout said.

She urged a complete overhaul of public employment policies to prioritize spatial and economic justice and include gender considerations in planning and budgeting.

“Women need to be seen not just as a vulnerable group, but as full economic actors,” Tazrout said, calling for updated employment policies, inclusive training programs, and concrete incentives to integrate women into the workforce.