Gender Roles
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 as business, government, or skilled trades. While upholding cultural and religious values, their roles are evolving, especially in urban areas influenced by Western values, where there's greater acceptance of men taking on domestic responsibilities and pursuing non-traditional careers. Visiting a women’s cooperative that produced oils, lotions, and teas highlighted how traditional skills can create modern economic opportunities, bridging the gap between old and new. Additionally, I saw women employed in a date packing plant to sort fruit and heard from a citrus plant manager who preferred hiring women for sorting due to their attention to detail. Seeing this opened a new door for me, being I had never heard of or experienced it. This blend of tradition and progress reflects Morocco's broader balance between its cultural values and the strides toward gender equality. It offers a glimpse into how these dynamics might further evolve as the country continues to modernize.
Ann Carol, thanks for sharing this informative post on gender dynamics! You have made some very interesting observations that I have also noticed and found to be quite interesting. Without much background knowledge and making unfounded generalizations prior to arriving in Morocco, I did not expect that women would have as much freedom and opportunity as they do - it was a pleasant surprise. Learning about the many women's cooperatives across the country is very inspiring and also much more progressive than I would have thought an Islamic country would be. However, on this trip I have realized that Morocco is much more unique and multi-faceted as a society that I would have ever imagined - I am constantly surprised by the new things we learn about this country everyday and the juxtaposition between both their old ways and news way of living as we head into a more modern society. Upon chatting with our SUV driver today, I asked why so many women were wearing those large, black coverings over their entire body and faces - I had not seen that on our trip before - and not all of the women in that town were wearing them. Our driver told us that the black coverings are for Arabic Islam women while the Berber Islamic women (his people), are considered to be "free people" and do not restrict their women in this way with their dress. That example leads me to wonder how the beliefs and viewpoints of the women in Morocco may vary in terms of what freedoms and opportunities are permitted or accepted for their genders. Do they all agree? Are there still difference among women in their beliefs in what their roles should be in the society and family?
ReplyDeletehank you, Ann Carol, for your insightful post on the evolving gender roles in Morocco. Your observations about the traditional roles and the gradual changes, especially in urban areas, are both fascinating and encouraging. I agree that the women's cooperative we visited and the roles that women play in various industries highlight the slow but steady progress toward gender equality in Morocco.
ReplyDeleteAs I was doing research for my blog, I read an article called "Gender Studies and Sustainable Development in Morocco" by Fouzia Rhissassi. This article delves a little deeper into the complex dynamics of gender roles in Moroccan society and provides a comprehensive analysis of how modernization and Western influences are reshaping these roles. It also explores the balance between maintaining cultural values and striving for gender equality, much like your observations during our travels. The article was truly enlightening and provided me with a deeper understanding of the gender dynamics shaping Moroccan society.
One quote from the article that particularly resonated with me is: "Moroccan women's participation in paid work is instrumental in facilitating their access to resources, especially income, and thus challenging their dependence on men." This highlights the significance of women's economic empowerment in challenging traditional gender norms and promoting gender equality in Morocco. It aligns with what I witnessed during my visit to the women's cooperative and the date packing plant, where women were actively involved in economic activities, gaining independence and agency in the process.
Thank you again for sharing! I have posted the article below in case you would like to also read it sometime:
http://icermediation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Living-Together-in-Peace-and-Harmony-Journal-of-Living-Together.pdf#page=96