Morocco reviews women peace and security plan amid persistent gaps

Friday 17 April 2026 - 11:00

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco reviews women peace and security plan amid persistent gaps

Morocco’s first national action plan on women, peace, and security faces mixed results, according to an April 2026 analysis by Policy Center for the New South. The report, authored by Nouzha Chekrouni, examines progress since the plan’s adoption in 2022 and its extension to 2026, while pointing to structural barriers that limit its impact.

The plan established a framework built on three pillars: preventive diplomacy and peacekeeping, promotion of equality and peace culture, and women’s economic participation. Moroccan authorities have sought to reinforce these priorities in response to regional instability and domestic shocks, including the 2023 Al Haouz earthquake.

Institutional changes have begun to take shape. Female representation in the Royal Armed Forces has increased, and Morocco has expanded its role in African and Mediterranean mediation networks. Women mediators now contribute to regional diplomacy initiatives, while the “Moussalaha” rehabilitation program has been extended to women convicted of terrorism-related offenses.

The Al Haouz earthquake exposed gaps in crisis response. Rural women were among the most affected, underscoring the need to integrate gender considerations into emergency and reconstruction policies.

Despite these steps, the report highlights persistent constraints. Female labor force participation stands at 19.1%, below the 25% target set in the country’s development strategy. Women account for less than 3% of Moroccan peacekeeping contingents, despite the country’s long-standing role in United Nations missions.

Deradicalization programs remain poorly adapted to women’s pathways into extremism. Key policy areas, including climate change, migration, and digital transformation, are not sufficiently integrated into the plan. In the Sahel, rising insecurity and migration flows continue to expose women to higher risks.

Legal reforms have not translated into full social change. Measures such as the 2004 family code reform and the 2018 law on violence against women coexist with persistent social inequalities. The report calls for deeper transformation through education systems and religious institutions.

To address these gaps, the analysis proposes a second, more ambitious phase. Recommendations include gender-disaggregated indicators, a dedicated budget, and stronger accountability mechanisms involving parliament and civil society. Expanding Morocco’s regional role would require formal inclusion of women mediators in Sahel and Libya negotiations, alongside integrating links between gender, climate, migration, and digital policy.

The report also stresses the role of education in reshaping social norms, including programs on positive masculinities and greater involvement of female religious guides. Civil society groups should be institutionalized as monitoring actors, with a focus on rural, border, and migrant women.

At the continental level, Morocco positions its plan within African Union frameworks, presenting it as a tool to address threats to women’s rights across the region. The report argues that embedding women in mediation efforts rooted in African practices is essential in a context of rising conflicts and weakened multilateral cooperation.

If implemented effectively, these measures could strengthen women’s economic participation and contribute to long-term growth. The analysis estimates potential gains of up to 1.7 percentage points in GDP per capita by 2035.