Ahead of September’s parliamentary elections in Morocco, concerns are rising over the limited representation of women in candidate lists. Recent endorsements announced by several political parties reveal a continued dominance of men in leadership positions within electoral districts. The National Rally of Independents, the leading party in the current governing coalition, is reportedly hesitant to re-nominate a significant number of female candidates. This trend suggests a prioritization of “political pragmatism” over commitments to gender parity. Experts fear this will hinder progress towards balanced representation of women in the upcoming elections. The situation raises questions about the effectiveness of existing quotas and the genuine commitment of political parties to gender equality. This development could impact the diversity of voices in the next parliament.
