Nearly one in four Moroccans believe that hitting a wife is sometimes or always justified, according to new findings from the pan-African research network Afrobarometer.
The survey, which sampled attitudes across Morocco, revealed that 24% of respondents condoned wife beating under certain or all circumstances. The findings have sparked alarm among experts, who say the numbers reflect enduring cultural, social, and religious narratives that continue to tolerate violence against women.
Across 39 African countries included in the broader study, 72% of respondents said wife beating is never acceptable, while 19% said it is sometimes justified and 9% said it is always acceptable. Gabon reported the highest rate of support at 67%, while Cape Verde recorded the lowest at just 3%.
In Morocco, experts say the persistence of such attitudes stems from a mix of patriarchal traditions, religious misinterpretations, and the growing influence of extremist voices online.
“These numbers highlight deeply rooted beliefs that view women as subordinate in family decision-making,” Khalid Touzani, head of the Moroccan Center for Cultural Investment, told Hespress Ar.
“Despite government-led initiatives such as Friday mosque sermons and awareness campaigns, these efforts aren’t enough, especially in rural areas where traditional gender roles are strongly ingrained.”
Touzani added that social media platforms have become fertile ground for extremist groups that propagate misogynistic ideologies, often blaming women for unemployment or societal decline while encouraging violence in the name of morality.
Psychologist Mohamed Habib called the results alarming, saying they underscore how normalized domestic violence has become in some Moroccan households.
“Many women remain in abusive relationships due to financial dependence, low self-esteem, or emotional attachment to their abusers,” Habib said, adding that widespread mental health issues, experienced by roughly half of Moroccans, according to estimates—may also contribute to violent behavior within families.
Both Touzani and Habib emphasized the need for stronger legal protections, increased educational outreach, and greater economic opportunities for women, along with efforts to counter extremist online content. Without such measures, they warn, progress toward gender equality and the eradication of domestic violence will remain slow.
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