On International Women’s Day, we reflect on progress toward gender equality while acknowledging the deep-rooted disparities that persist globally. Legal reforms have been crucial milestones, yet they remain insufficient in dismantling structural inequalities—women’s economic contributions are undervalued, legal protections often fall short in practice, and leadership representation remains limited. The challenge is not only to legislate equality but to ensure its full realization in social, economic, and institutional spheres.

 

This special issue on Gender and Society explores the multifaceted nature of gender disparities, addressing themes such as women’s labor rights, migration, political representation, and digital inclusion.

Morocco’s Family Code reform reflects the ongoing struggle to balance legal modernization with entrenched social norms, while globally, the absence of a female UN Secretary-General in 80 years highlights leadership inequalities. Additionally, the digital gender divide continues to hinder economic and social empowerment, underscoring the urgency of inclusive, community-driven digital solutions. What will it take to translate legal progress into lived realities? How can policymakers ensure that gender-sensitive policies foster real empowerment rather than remain symbolic commitments?
 

PUBLICATIONS

(FR) The Reform of the Family Code (Moudawana): Innovations, Limitations, and Perspectives

 

Nouzha Chekrouni, Abdessalam Saad Jaldi

 

The ongoing revision of Morocco’s Family Code (Moudawana) reflects the tension between legal modernity and societal traditions, aiming to reconcile gender equality with religious and cultural references. While the proposed amendments introduce significant progress, such as the formal recognition of women's domestic labor and the criminalization of child marriage, unresolved issues—particularly in inheritance laws and the legal recognition of paternity—highlight the persistent friction between international commitments and internal legal frameworks. Does this reform mark a genuine step toward substantive gender equality, or will it remain a legal compromise constrained by sociopolitical considerations?... Read more

(FR) The Invisible Labor of Women

 

Larabi Jaïdi

 

Women in Morocco perform nearly five hours of unpaid domestic labor daily, yet this essential contribution remains invisible in national economic indicators. As highlighted in this paper, integrating unpaid labor into GDP calculations would provide a more accurate measure of economic productivity while fostering gender-sensitive policies. Despite statistical advances, the systemic undervaluation of women’s work perpetuates economic disparities and limits policy interventions. How can Morocco bridge this gap and ensure that women’s unpaid labor is formally recognized as a pillar of national development?... Read more

(FR) Africa has a pivotal role in choosing a new UN secretary-general

 

Gabriela Keseberg Dávalos

 

For 80 years, the United Nations has never had a woman as Secretary-General, despite its advocacy for gender equality and inclusive leadership. As Africa holds the largest voting bloc in the UN General Assembly, the continent has a unique opportunity to shift the status quo by rallying behind a qualified female candidate. This paper highlights how a unified African position could reshape global governance, reaffirming the continent’s role as a key geopolitical actor. Will Africa seize this moment to champion inclusive multilateralism, or will internal divisions dilute its influence again?... Read more

PCNS TV

(AR) Which Family Code for Morocco in Light of Societal Transition?

 

Save the Date: Episode Release on Tuesday, March 11

 

After two decades, Morocco’s Family Code reform faces a critical revision to tackle inequalities in marriage, child custody, and women’s economic rights. Aatifa Timjerdine, President of ADFM, discusses the balance between legal modernization and social-religious considerations. While past reforms improved women’s status, child marriage, guardianship laws, and economic disparities persist. Will this reform drive real gender justice, or will entrenched norms continue to hinder equality?...Read more

(FR) The Migration Journey of Women in Morocco’s Agricultural Sector

 

The feminization of migration is reshaping labor in the Global South, with Moroccan women increasingly part of internal and international migration. This podcast examines the socioeconomic realities of female agricultural migrants, highlighting their working conditions, recruitment, and vulnerabilities. While migration offers economic opportunities, it also exposes women to precarious work, legal uncertainty, and exploitation. Can migration empower women in a sector dominated by informal labor, or does it deepen their marginalization?... Listen

Leadership in Gender-Inclusive Digital Development and Social Innovation

 

Our ADEL 2024, Fay Cowper highlights the need for gender-inclusive digital development, emphasizing technology’s role in social change. With the global gender digital divide costing $1 trillion and 2 billion people unconnected, women in low- and middle-income countries face exclusion. This paper advocates for community-driven solutions over top-down strategies, showcasing WhatsApp-based supply chain models for illiterate Moroccan artisans as a path to economic empowerment. How can policymakers ensure digital transformation fosters inclusion rather than deepening inequalities?... Watch
 

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