Female Economic Participation

Female economic participation in Morocco ranks among the lowest in the world. Indeed, as of 2016, Morocco lies in the bottom 20 percent of female participation in the labor force, and there has been very little progress over the past two decades to improve this position. These statistics demonstrate Morocco’s failure to tap into one of its most valuable assets, subsequently slowing economic growth, diversification, and overall productivity. Thus, gender inequality is not solely a social issue, but an economic one too. Countries with existent gender gaps are losing $160 trillion in wealth because of the variances in lifetime earnings between men and women. By granting Moroccan women greater economic power and ownership, they will possess the control to access economic resources/markets, manage their own time and income, and make meaningful and beneficial decisions for themselves, their households, and their communities. Ultimately, women’s economic empowerment could have far-reaching positive consequences that benefit the country at large.

Access to Education

Increasing access to education is a critical precursor to empowering the female population. This is because educated girls are able to pursue more meaningful work opportunities in higher productivity sectors. These jobs tend to be more secure and offer greater benefits to the individual and society as a whole. In fact, UNICEF states that “one percentage point increase in female education raises the average level of GDP by 0.37 percentage points”. The ramifications of a basic education go beyond the economic domain, however. Increasing access to educational opportunities and finance for women can contribute to reduced fertility rates, increased labor force participation, reduced infant and maternal mortality rate, and overall healthier families. This is generally because increased employment opportunities and better knowledge about contraception prompt women to have smaller families and to begin child-bearing at a later age. Fewer children in a household translates to more abundant resources and attention, subsequently improving the chances that an infant will survive. There is also evidence that women with greater education tend to marry later and on better terms.

Social and Political Transformation

The social transformation that accompanies economically empowered women is unbounded and inter-generational. Women are more likely to spend money on things that support their children and household, therefore benefiting their families and improving the chances of their children to achieve health and prosperity. In a household where the mother is educated, children, and specifically girls, are more likely to. Furthermore, educated women are able to take on and support positive development outcomes for the country. This consequently speeds up the reduction in gender inequality as having more women in leadership roles translates to policies that will promote improvements to the livelihoods of Moroccan women and girls. Educated women are more likely to engage in, attend political meetings, and politically participate within their area. Active participation in political and economic conversations also , increasing their voice and ability to influence society and challenge established norms that limit women’s rights and hinder economic and social development as it currently resides.