Moroccan society is undergoing significant changes. Issues relating to women’s rights and gender equality are the subject of recurring public debate, with a sharp divide between progressive views and more conservative approaches.
Violence against women is a major issue in Morocco. It occurs against a backdrop characterised by the persistence of certain traditional norms and patriarchal attitudes, the influence of which varies significantly according to social background, region, and generation. These factors can contribute to the normalisation of certain forms of violence.
Women who are victims of violence can be found in all social groups, regardless of their level of education, employment status, or where they live. The most frequently reported forms are psychological and economic violence, whilst digital violence is on the rise. Most violence occurs in the domestic sphere.
Over the past two decades, Morocco has undertaken significant legislative and institutional reforms to strengthen women’s rights. A revision of the Family Code (Moudawana) is currently underway, and since 2018 the country has had a specialised legal framework for combating violence against women. Law No. 103-13, in particular, provides for the establishment of specialised units within courts, judicial services, health facilities, the National Security Service and the Royal Gendarmerie, ensuring that victims receive appropriate support. These units serve as access points to protection and reporting mechanisms, alongside the Multifunctional Centres for Women (EMF) and organisations that provide counselling, guidance, support and accommodation for victims. However, Law No. 103-13 focuses primarily on the criminal prosecution of perpetrators of violence. Several civil society actors believe that it only partially addresses the social, economic, and family obstacles that may prevent a woman from fleeing an abusive situation.
The Moroccan authorities have adopted several national strategies and action plans to strengthen preventive measures, improve access to justice, and support victims. While these measures reflect the gradual development of a policy framework, gaps remain between the planned measures and their actual implementation.
Sources interviewed as part of this research identified various factors that may deter victims from turning to the authorities, leading them to favour informal solutions, at least initially. These factors include family and social pressures, fear of scandal or reprisals, economic dependence, constraints relating to children and a lack of trust in institutions. According to figures published in 2019 by the High Commission for Planning (HCP), only a minority of women take formal steps to report incidents.
Regarding the effectiveness of support and redress mechanisms, the consulted sources present a mixed picture. They indicate that multi-sectoral mechanisms are operational and can, in certain situations, enable the reception, referral, support and care of women who are victims of violence. However, they also highlight difficulties relating to limitations in the legal framework and the accessibility and practical implementation of these mechanisms. Their operation may vary depending on the region, the institutions and professionals involved, as well as the victim’s profile, resources, family and social environment, and available support networks.
Policy
The policy implemented by the Commissioner General is based on a thorough analysis of accurate and up-to-date information on the general situation in the country of origin. This information is collated in a professional manner from various, objective sources, including the EUAA, the UNHCR, relevant international human rights organisations, non-governmental organisations, professional literature and coverage in the media. When determining policy, the Commissioner General does not only examine the COI Focuses written by Cedoca and published on this website, as these deal with just one aspect of the general situation in the country of origin. The fact that a COI Focus could be out-of-date does not mean that the policy that is being implemented by the Commissioner General is no longer up-to-date.
When assessing an application for asylum, the Commissioner General not only considers the actual situation in the country of origin at the moment of decision-making, he also takes into account the individual situation and personal circumstances of the applicant for international protection. Every asylum application is examined individually. An applicant must comprehensively demonstrate that he has a well-founded fear of persecution or that there is a clear personal risk of serious harm. He cannot, therefore, simply refer back to the general conditions in his country, but must also present concrete, credible and personal facts.
There is no policy paper for this country available on the website.