• Home
• News Article

In changing times, Moroccan women play dual role

Morocco's working wives see progress on the job front but little change at home.
For many Moroccan working women, the trade-off between home lives and jobs occurs at the expense of time and peace of mind.

While women have acquired some freedom in the working environment, attitudes have not changed as regards the role of a woman within the family. The equality they seek has not yet been achieved on the domestic front.

However, generalisations should be avoided, since an increasing number of young husbands are attempting to counter tradition by helping their wives perform daily tasks.

"Women have more responsibility than men. When men come home, they relax, whereas women must cook and take care of the house and children on their own. Women have gained freedom, but attitudes have not kept pace. Equality must come about in the home," said bank clerk Halima Bernoussi.

A similar view is shared by a number of women who accept their daily lives with resignation. They blame the hypocrisy of Moroccan society in this respect.

Fatima Moustaghfir, a lawyer and Member of Parliament, said that tradition is very important and that only women themselves can change this. In her view, they must teach their children that boys and girls are equal so that the future will be different. "In Morocco, it's still taboo for a man to help his wife with the cooking. Others take a ruthless view on this. Often, even those who help their wives with chores avoid doing so in front of other people," she said.

Sociologist Hamid Ghoulam explained that Morocco is going through a transitional phase, and that women may feel pressure in their daily lives due to their conservative upbringing.

"Many women who work feel deep down that their dual mission is a duty that they must accomplish without batting an eyelid," he said. "Moroccans raise their daughters to be good cooks, whereas it is instilled into boys that they must avoid these womanly tasks."

Nevertheless, Ghoulam said, the current generation is behaving differently.

An increasing number of young husbands are attempting to counter tradition by helping their wives perform daily tasks.

Siham M., a public-sector worker, said that the mothers of the future will face less stress, since the way in which children are being brought up is changing. The mother of two boys and a girl, she tries to teach her children the important of equality in the home: "I treat my boys and my daughter just the same. I involve all of them in the housework. In future, I think my sons will help their wives."

Women's arrival in the workplace has enabled them to broaden their horizons and improve their skills, said Rachida Benmasoud, writer and member of the political office of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces.

Change will take time to occur in the home, Benmasoud conceded. Society, she said, is certain of women's role in development, but the cultural system retains a strong presence with regard to traditional roles. She concluded that the state should play a greater role in boosting equality.

An increasing number of young husbands, however, are attempting to counter tradition by helping their wives perform daily tasks.

Many men oppose the notion that women are victims, said teacher Hicham Choubami.

"Women's access to jobs has enabled them to strengthen their position both in society and at home," Choubami noted.

He claims that men are increasingly helping their wives go about household chores. "The attitude of Moroccans is changing. Women should not make a drama out of the situation. It's simply a question of organisation."

Halima Essaid, a nurse, agrees. She said that women must organise their time so that they do not fall victim to daily pressures. In her opinion, discussing this subject with their husbands should help women.

"At first, my husband didn't help me; I had to do everything myself," she said. "When I talked things over with him, I persuaded him to get more involved around the house for the happiness of our family."

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat

© Magharebia.com 2010