Women’s political representation in Morocco: progress and challenges ahead of 2026 elections

The journey of women’s political participation in Morocco mirrors a marathon, marked by legal reforms, grassroots activism, and an enduring quest for genuine parity. As the 2026 legislative elections loom on the horizon, the nation’s focus sharpens on the evolving role of women in decision-making bodies. While the legal framework has seen remarkable advancements, ground realities and partisan practices continue to cast shadows over the practical implementation of constitutional principles.

Historical milestones: from exclusion to affirmative action

For decades following independence, women’s presence in Morocco’s Parliament remained minimal, often nonexistent. It wasn’t until 1993 that the first two women secured seats in the Chamber of Representatives. Recognizing the sluggish pace of this organic evolution, Morocco embarked on a transformative journey in the early 2000s by introducing affirmative action mechanisms.

The nation’s trajectory can be outlined as follows:

• 2002: The introduction of the national list system, a political compromise reserving 30 seats for women in the Chamber of Representatives, marked a pivotal step toward equitable representation.
• 2011: The constitutional overhaul enshrined gender equality in Article 19, mandating the state to pursue parity. This shift elevated the number of reserved seats for women to 60.
• 2021: The transition to regional lists replaced the national list system, expanding women’s territorial representation and increasing their parliamentary seats to 90.

These milestones have empowered Moroccan women to build expertise and demonstrate competence across political, labor union, associative, and human rights arenas. Yet, despite legislative progress, a glass ceiling persists, both in local governance and the leadership ranks of electoral lists.

2026 elections: civil society’s alarming observations

In this transitional phase, two influential coalitions—190 Coalition Against Violence and Coalition for Dignity and Women’s Rights—issued a joint statement on June 9, 2026. Their analysis of early candidacies for the September elections reveals a stark reality: women remain sidelined as list leaders, while men dominate these critical positions.

This disparity is particularly concerning given that heads of electoral lists statistically have the highest chances of securing seats in the legislative assembly. By relegating women to secondary roles, parties risk undermining their own commitment to equality and parity.

Democratic backsliding: the misuse of quotas

A more insidious challenge looms over the electoral process: the manipulation of representational mechanisms by partisan elites. Some leaders exploit reserved seats and quotas by placing their wives or daughters at the forefront of lists.

This practice of familial favoritism distorts the intent of affirmative action laws. By converting progressive measures into dynastic privileges, it strips reforms of their essence. Grassroots activists—who have spent years advocating within political and civil society structures—are denied legitimate representation. Such electoral nepotism fuels public distrust in institutions and reduces women’s political participation to a matter of familial co-optation rather than merit and competence.

A call for national dialogue: beyond electoral mobilization

In response to these challenges, the coalitions urge the initiation of a responsible and inclusive national debate. This dialogue must engage political actors, constitutional bodies, feminist organizations, and media to address the cultural and structural barriers that still hinder women’s ascension to leadership roles.

The manifesto outlines actionable steps to reverse the trend:

• Firm partisan commitments: Political parties must uphold the spirit of electoral laws, ensuring women lead at least one-third of lists as part of a broader parity strategy.
• Transparent and ethical selection criteria: Candidacies must be awarded based on competence, merit, and historical activism, eliminating familial privilege or nepotism to ensure fair opportunities.
• Rigorous oversight by authorities: Electoral monitoring bodies must enforce strict adherence to the law’s original objectives, ensuring representational measures benefit all citizens—not just narrow familial circles.

Reflections on the path forward

Moroccan women can no longer be confined to the roles of voters or mobilizers on election day. They are full-fledged citizens and indispensable partners in shaping public policy and the nation’s future. The maturity of Morocco’s democracy will be measured by its ability to transition women’s political participation from an exception or familial workaround to a natural, just, and meritocratic democratic practice.