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Benkirane’s remarks spark outrage over outdated advice for Moroccan women
At a political rally in Agadir on July 5, Abdelilah Benkirane, Secretary General of Morocco’s Justice and Development Party (PJD) and former Prime Minister, caused public uproar with controversial remarks targeting young women. He urged them to prioritize marriage over education and careers, saying, “Girls, stop saying ‘we’ll study, work, and then get married.’ You can do all that after marriage. But if you miss the chance to marry, your education won’t matter. You’ll end up like a lonely seagull.”
The statement, laden with condescension, drew widespread criticism from civil society, feminist groups, and citizens who accused Benkirane of perpetuating regressive gender norms. Critics argued that his comments undermine women’s autonomy and belittle their contributions to Moroccan society.
A metaphor drenched in insult
By comparing unmarried, educated women to “lonely seagulls,” Benkirane reduced women’s ambitions to irrelevance if they remain single. The metaphor suggests failure and isolation, sending a message that a woman’s value is tied solely to her marital status. This rhetoric ignores the thousands of Moroccan women who contribute daily as educators, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and more.
Feminist organizations, including Kif Mama Kif Baba, condemned Benkirane’s remarks as a “retrograde sermon.” The group highlighted that 97% of girls married before the age of 18 permanently leave school, often losing their chance for financial independence.
“While the state pours billions into keeping girls in school,” the association stated, “you tell them to walk out and wait for a ring?”
The group defended women’s rights to education, independence, and the choice to live on their own terms, rejecting the narrative that marriage defines their worth. “Marriage can wait,” they said. “Missed education does not return.”
Polarized public reactions
Benkirane’s comments quickly went viral, igniting fierce debate. While many criticized the remarks as outdated and offensive, others—primarily men—supported his stance, framing it as aligned with “religious and cultural values.” Some echoed the sentiment that a woman’s ultimate role is to marry, raise a family, and serve her husband.
However, the backlash underscored growing resistance to such ideas among Moroccan women and progressive voices. Social media users lambasted Benkirane for being out of touch with modern realities, with one commenter sarcastically suggesting, “Let’s hope you apply this to your daughter.”
Moroccan women’s fight for autonomy
Benkirane’s remarks expose a deeper struggle over gender roles and women’s rights in Morocco. In a country where many girls still face child marriage, education barriers, and limited job prospects, his comments reflect the systemic challenges women endure.
For decades, Moroccan women have fought to challenge societal norms that police their choices and restrict their independence. Benkirane’s speech, critics argue, reinforces outdated structures that confine women and dismiss their ambitions as secondary to marriage.
Women’s rights advocates insist that education and personal autonomy are non-negotiable. They argue that such rhetoric undermines the progress Morocco has made in empowering women and addressing gender inequality.
As Moroccan women continue to defy stereotypes and push for equality, Benkirane’s remarks serve as a stark reminder of the cultural and political obstacles they still face.