Despite legal advancements enshrining gender equality, women’s economic participation remains limited in Morocco. In a recent report, the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) warns of the persistent gap between the normative progress made in recent years and the reality of women’s professional integration, calling for structural reforms to remove the obstacles hindering their access to the labor market.
Since the 2011 Constitution, which enshrines the principle of parity, several legal texts have been adopted to enhance the protection of women’s rights and promote their participation in economic and social life. Yet, according to CESE, these legal advancements still struggle to yield tangible effects in the daily lives of female citizens. A glass ceiling continues to limit their presence in economic activities, revealing the societal and structural resistances that persist.
One of the paradoxes noted by the institution concerns the contrast between women’s academic success and their low participation in the labor market. Female students today represent a significant portion of the higher education population, particularly in scientific fields. They account for about 56% of students in scientific disciplines and nearly 42% of students in engineering schools. However, this educational progress does not translate into equivalent integration in the economic sphere.
The activity rate for women remains particularly low, around 19%, compared to nearly 69% for men. This situation reflects a significant underutilization of the country’s skill potential and, according to CESE, represents a considerable loss for the national economy.
In addition to these employment accessibility difficulties, other structural factors come into play. Wage disparities persist across several private sectors and can reach substantial levels depending on occupational categories. Furthermore, the unequal distribution of domestic tasks continues to heavily affect women’s economic participation. On average, women spend more than five hours a day on household activities, compared to less than an hour for men.
This domestic burden limits their availability for paid work and hinders their professional advancement. It also contributes to reducing their participation in public life and decision-making processes.
In light of these findings, CESE believes a deeper transformation of public policies is necessary. The institution advocates for a reform of the care economy, which would better structure services related to childcare, support for the elderly or dependent individuals, and home assistance. The development of these services could facilitate women’s access to the labor market while also creating new jobs.
The authorities aim to raise the female activity rate to about 45% by 2035. According to estimates from the High Commissioner for Planning, a significant increase in women’s participation in the economy could have a direct impact on growth. An increase of nine percentage points in the female activity rate could thus generate an additional gain of approximately 3% of GDP by 2035.
In this perspective, CESE considers that promoting women’s employment is not solely a matter of equality. It also serves as a strategic lever to enhance economic growth, value human capital, and establish a more inclusive development model.