Moroccan women candidates face rising political violence ahead of upcoming elections

Warnings are growing in Morocco over rising political and digital violence targeting women candidates ahead of the 23 September legislative elections, as women's and rights groups accuse the government of lacking "a genuine will to bring about structural change that guarantees a meaningful female presence in decision-making circles".

The National Observatory for Protection from Digital Violence, a non-governmental organisation, recently said it was deeply concerned about the increase in attacks in the digital space as the elections approach.

In a statement, it stressed that these practices violate women's rights and the principle of equal opportunities in electoral competition.

The observatory said monitoring and follow-up operations during July and the beginning of August had revealed multiple forms of targeted attacks against several female candidates.

These ranged from insults, defamation and slander and violations of privacy and dignity to the use of digital media in organised campaigns aimed at damaging their reputations and presence in the public sphere.

The observatory considered this escalation a matter of serious concern, as it is occurring during the candidate selection process and amid a context in which women's participation and access to decision-making positions remain below the expectations of parity and equality.

It highlighted that political and digital violence against women poses a direct threat that limits the exercise of their constitutional rights and spreads intimidation messages that deter women from engaging in political work and public life.

According to the observatory, the 2026 elections will be the first major test of tougher penalties introduced under Organic Law No. 53.25. Article 51 bis criminalises the misuse of social media, digital platforms and artificial intelligence to spread false information or fabricate content intended to defame candidates or undermine the integrity of elections.

Women’s political participation in Morocco is underpinned by an explicit constitutional commitment dating to 2011, when the constitution enshrined the principle of gender parity.

It stated that men and women enjoy equal civil, political, economic, social, cultural and environmental rights and freedoms.

Morocco's international commitments also require it to uphold the principle of equality, while the state has established an Authority for Parity and Combating All Forms of Discrimination to support that aim.

Despite efforts made in recent years to advance women's rights, Moroccan women's political and social participation faces real challenges.

Despite progress in recent years, women remain underrepresented in parliament, with Morocco ranking 102nd globally and falling below the international average of 27.5 percent.

As Morocco prepares for the election, the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration and Family launched a campaign on 18 May in partnership with UN Women and the United Nations Population Fund, with support from the Canadian Embassy in Rabat.

The campaign, which ran until 5 June, was held under the slogan "Yedek fi yedya ncharco f'tanmia", meaning "Your hand in mine; let's participate in development". It covered all regions of the country, aiming to promote values of equality and parity, raise social awareness and reinforcing the importance of the presence of women in managing public affairs.

It also aims to encourage young women to actively engage in political, party and institutional work.

Just weeks before the Sept. 23, 2026, election, National Observatory for Protection from Digital Violence President Bouchra Abdou expressed her regret over the escalation of political and digital violence currently being practised against female candidates in the upcoming legislative elections.

She explained that there are social perceptions that reject women becoming candidates and leaders and occupying the top positions on electoral lists.

Abdou told The New Arab that Moroccan political parties still do not trust women due to the absence of parity.

She said they also appear unable to stand up to the digital violence practised against female candidates in the upcoming elections.

She said women are often left to face online violence, insults, abuse, bullying and attacks on their reputation and that of their families, without political parties publicly condemning such behaviour.

"Today, female candidates in the upcoming legislative elections must be strong and have the courage to file complaints with the relevant authorities to stop the advance of the violence they are facing," she added.

"Digital violence pushes female candidates to withdraw and refuse to contest the electoral battle in its broad form due to attacks on their honour, reputation and families, and on their public and private lives, which leaves them despairing of political work."

She also stressed the need for political parties to adopt the cases of female candidates and stand firmly against all violence and bullying practised against them.

"It is time for women to receive the trust of their parties and for the principle of parity and equality to be enshrined during next year's local elections, as this remains important for women to reach political decision-making positions."

The women's rights activist said a campaign of political and digital violence in July and early August had targeted 10 candidates from different parties.

Political science researcher Sharifa Lmouir said in an interview with The New Arab that the problem extended beyond election periods. "The phenomenon of political violence against women is not only linked to electoral stages but is also the result of stereotypes and deeply rooted prejudices in our society."

 "This political violence is an extension of the social violence that women experience within society, given that it involves the same practices and the same image in which it manifests itself."

Lmouir said that political violence in the digital space against women primarily aims to restrict them within the political scene and attempt to force them to withdraw from exercising their constitutional rights.

She pointed out that all this violence directed against women, whether physical, psychological or sexual, is fundamentally aimed at discouraging them from political engagement and attempting to deter them from participating in political life within society.

"Although the Moroccan legislature is trying to limit this phenomenon through several mechanisms it has adopted, they remain, in my view, insufficient, particularly as the phenomenon is widespread in society.," she added.

"Therefore, an awareness-raising approach targeting Moroccan citizens of all age groups must be adopted to reduce stereotypes targeting women in general."

Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari.