Barriers to women's political representation in Morocco

The Democratic Association of Moroccan Women has raised alarms regarding the integrity of the 2026 legislative election process, specifically concerning the barriers facing female candidates. Initially, the association warned that political endorsements were being treated as a form of “financial bargaining, personal influence, and loyalty” rather than being based on competence. They argued that requiring financial contributions to secure nominations constitutes a form of “political violence and discrimination against women” that threatens the 90 seats designated for positive discrimination.

Subsequent assessments confirmed these systemic challenges. Data from the Democratic Association of Moroccan Women and the Al Zahra Forum for Moroccan Women revealed significant disparities in how political parties implement equality commitments. Findings indicated that women accounted for only 15.89% of total nominations and headed just 7.49% of local lists. Reports highlighted that some female members were asked for money to secure nominations under the guise of campaign financing. Additionally, observers noted a trend of “political inheritance,” where female candidates often rely on familial ties to existing parliamentary members, potentially limiting the diversity of political leadership.