A report issued by Morocco’s Higher Council for Education, Training, and Scientific Research over the summer highlights both significant progress and alarming gender disparities between men and women in both education and the job market.
Released in July 2024, the 126-page report highlights a shocking increase in sexual harassment of primary school students, ages 5 to 12. It reveals that 30 percent of female students and 37.9 percent of male students in primary schools have reported instances of sexual harassment.
Female students face heightened risks of sexual predation as they transition into middle and high school. The report indicates that 10.4 percent of female middle school students and 14.6 percent of female high school students have reported experiences of some form of forced sex. The report calls for urgent measures to protect women and girls from these dangers.
Notwithstanding these disturbing findings, the report indicates that access to education for women and girls in Morocco has significantly improved. Women and girls represent 48.2 percent of students enrolled in educational and training institutions, according to the report.
Gender disparities are significant after higher education, when men are more likely to find employment. The report shows that 65 percent of men secure jobs after completing their higher education, while only 49 percent of women find work.
In rural areas, traditional beliefs continue to influence perceptions of education. The report shows that 3.53 percent of urban heads of households and a much higher percentage in rural areas believe that education for boys is more valuable than for girls.
The report also points out that, despite progress in access to education, gender biases persist in curriculum content and teaching methods. Certain subjects and fields of study are still associated with only one gender to the exclusion of the other.
Ultimately, the findings highlight the urgent need to tackle the deep-rooted social and cultural biases that hinder women’s participation in education and employment.