Ennajah women cooperative in Morocco.

By

     I consider myself a women's and girls' education advocate, and today's visit was one memorable event on our Morocco trip. The women's cooperative Ennajah was genuinely inspiring to see an entire women-run farmland and meet the women who started the program in 2008.

     According to Dr. Rashid from the Ecole National Agriculture (ENA), with the strategic Green Morocco Plan (GMP), From 2008, the Government's goal was to advance Morocco's agricultural sector by creating opportunities to export to the international Market and providing Investments to local farmers including women to address poverty and employment issues in rural areas. Ennajah cooperative is tangible proof and one of the multiples women's cooperatives in the country that shows the impact of the (GMP)and how much Morocco has progressed in supporting women and small businesses.

            Twenty women work in the Ennajah cooperative to cultivate and enhance the production of argan and other plants, cleaning the seeds and transforming them into oil for food consumption and beauty products.

 "Extra measures have been included in the GMP to strengthen the attitudes and engagement of stakeholders and partners regarding poverty, gender equity, and women's empowerment" (Montanari & Bergh, 2019)

            We were excited to buy their products, not because we got good oils, herbal teas, and other goods, but because we knew how much their work impact the community.

Like in different parts of the world, Morocco still has a long way to go to address gender issues; however, I can say that I am hopeful for women's advancement in Morocco's society because of what we have learned through presentations and witnessing on this trip. From historical women like Fatima, who played a leadership role in the 16 centuries, to the students at the two universities we visited (Al Akhawayan & Ecole Nationale D’Agriculture de Mekenes) University and ENA, to Ennajah Women Cooperative, we can conclude that the future generation will achieve more than what we have seen.

 

References.

 

(Montanari & Bergh, 2019)

Akesbi, N. Le Plan Maroc Vert: une analyse critique».Questions d’économie marocaine, In: ‘Association marocaine de sciences économiques (ed), Rabat Presses Universitaires du Maroc, Rabat. (2011).

 

Montanari, B., Bergh, S.I. A Gendered Analysis of the Income Generating Activities under the Green Morocco Plan: Who Profits? Hum Ecol 47, 409–417 (2019).





 

Comments

  1. Geovani "Geo" AyalaJune 5, 2023 at 3:52 AM

    The women's cooperative was a highlight of our agricultural tours. It was great to see how these women collectively supported each other and worked together to provide for themselves and their families. I was impressed by the facility and the production of oils and products. The women were empowered and wanted to empower others in the area to join them. They had a sophisticated production system and had a good understanding of best practices as it related to farming hemp, rosemary, lavender, and other plants. Hopefully, more all-women cooperatives begin to form within the country.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jacob DavisJune 13, 2023 at 6:31 AM

    One of the most interesting things I took away from our farm and site visits were the amount of successful cooperatives set up across the country. Especially those that were meant for and ran by women. These cooperatives allow the Moroccans who have worked on farms and cultivated crops for generations to continue what they are doing even as farming has evolved into more of a mass production and became more expensive. For years women have been the ones to harvest and create argon oil and because of this cooperative they can continue their craft.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yazmine CallanAugust 2, 2023 at 11:49 AM

    It was empowering to see in person the successful women-lead co-ops that we saw on the trip. I loved learning about how different policies that the Moroccan government implemented impact these small co-ops, and how women are able to benefit from them and grow their businesses. I'd like to follow up on the co-ops that we visited down the road and see how much they grow from the time that we visited them. The women showing us around the co-ops seemed so proud of the work that they do there and I was glad to be able to purchase from them.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who Am I? Think Again. Exploring Authentic Identities

By
Image
This video is part of the  TED Talks  series.  TED  (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is a nonprofit devoted to disseminating "ideas worth spreading." I thought the idea of  creating authentic identity through failed imitation  was a great theme to begin the course as well as the blog. My hope is that you will step outside of the  status quo  and use your creative nature to complete the assignments and explore identity in a global context throughout this semester. What are your thoughts about Hetain Patel's presentation?
Read more

Gender Roles

By
Image
  During my travels in Morocco, I explored the unique gender dynamics shaping Moroccan society, particularly the roles and expectations of women. Traditionally, Moroccan women manage the household and raise children, with strict norms around maintaining virginity and preparing for motherhood, especially in smaller towns and villages. Public interactions between men and women are limited, and women often face restrictions on traveling alone or being out late at night. However, Western influences are gradually changing these norms in cities like Casablanca and Marrakesh, allowing women to take more visible roles in public and professional spheres. I found this evolving role fascinating and encouraging, especially as I observed women in urban areas breaking traditional barriers. Back home on my farm, we only employ men to do all the tasks. Men in Moroccan society traditionally serve as the primary breadwinners and protectors of their families, holding roles in the public sphere such a...
Read more

Blog Post 1

By
Image
       During our first tour of The Hassan II Mosque, I asked our tour guide about the headscarves most women wore. She informed me that the hijab, donned by numerous Muslim women in Morocco, is deeply ingrained in religious teachings, symbolizing modesty and adherence to Islamic principles. The meaning of “hijab” means “to conceal” in Arabic. It is the idea of covering yourself to honor God, and not draw sexual attention. Quranic verses and Hadith literature underscore the importance of modest attire, urging both genders to cover themselves and preserve modesty.      For Moroccan Muslim women, wearing the hijab transcends cultural tradition; it's a religious duty, showcasing their commitment to Islamic values. Serving as a tangible expression of faith, the hijab signifies submission to divine commandments and dedication to upholding religious ideals in daily life. Beyond its physical manifestation, the hijab carries spiritual significance, embodying a...
Read more