The 8th of March is international women’s day.  The UN’s theme for this year’s commemoration is the empowerment of rural women and their role in the eradication of hunger and poverty.  Given the occasion, I decided to look at the situation of rural women in Morocco.  As with their counterparts in developing countries, Morocco’s rural woman live in very difficult circumstances. In addition to living with the challenges of a male-dominated society, rural women have to survive in environments where basic infrastructure is a luxury. Nevertheless, they remain incredibly active, more so than their urban counterparts, and attend to unpaid work that includes household and field chores, child rearing, looking after livestock and much more.

Since 2005, the National Initiative for Human Development has empowered Morocco’s rural women and has helped them succeeded in making their own mark in economic development through cooperatives. Despite the problems they confront, such as marketing or business trusts, women’s cooperatives have played a leading role in improving the conditions of rural life. As a result of the cooperatives, rural women have earned modest incomes. Regrettably, the money is insufficient in helping them overcome the harsh circumstances of rural life.  Many of these women remain marginalized and completely ignored by Moroccan government representatives and policy makers.

While I recognize the efforts of past governments to fight illiteracy, maternal and child mortality in rural areas, the results are still very limited.  In fact, it is counter intuitive to fight maternal or child mortality when the closest hospital is miles away. It is unrealistic to combat illiteracy when there are very few schools in rural areas and where most girls are still forced to attend to house and field work.

When the UN adopted conventions, such as CEDAW or the MDGs, it did so to advocate on behalf of all women, including those in rural areas. Moreover, when the UN sought to eradicate hunger and poverty, it meant to do so for rural and urban women. When the UN identified equality between man and woman as its third goal, it meant equality for rural women as well. Rural women often suffer silently and never lament their fate. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s empower rural women socially, economically and politically. According to statistics, rural women present over a quarter of the Moroccan population. Just imagine if Morocco were to take advantage of the rural woman’s energy, resourcefulness and other capacities.

By Saoud Izem Sarah

Edited by Hicham Elkoustaf

Morocco World News

Moroccan Bride

In Morocco, when a person is hennaed, they feel some protection from the less desirable forces of nature. Henna, and the patterns created with henna, is meant to protect, comfort and bring ‘baraka’ or blessings to the wearer. Originally, henna and the patterns used in the application, was used during rituals marking important ceremonies (such as a wedding or circumcision) in which a public display of wealth and good fortune exposed the celebrant to the ‘evil eye’. Henna and the patterns drawn with it were employed to counteract the forces of the evil eye.

Of course today, most people like henna because it’s beautiful. But isn’t it nice to know that henna and the actual designs themselves are working on your behalf?

Find Café Clock’s henna artist waiting to bestow you with ‘baraka’ and beauty every Sunday evening starting at 6:30.

Yesterday, rehearsals for the upcoming Gala of Performances on Sunday, March 8^th took place at the ALIF riad in Batha. The riad, which has recently been transformed into a truly wonderful, lush setting is just perfect for the occasion. Hats off to Jess Stephens, of Culture Vultures, who not only organized the riad’s transformation but also put together this incredible lineup of events. And of course special thanks to ALIF, too, which generously donated the space for Sunday’s Gala of Performances.

The courtyard resonated with voice, music, song and dance as the performers rehearsed for the big day. Yona played her soulful harmonium and sang classical Indian songs of love and worship. The birds spontaneously accompanied her. Zanouba belted out her Moroccan song and was joined by Hanane, a petite woman with a powerful voice of her own. Together they were awesome as they joined forces in a traditional song of worship to Allah. The leaves on the orange trees were reverberating in sympathetic joy. Saida performed an Oriental dance that had all the participants joining in with undulating moves of their own followed by raucous ululations. There in spirit were Hassania, a renowned oud player and the ever popular Jaliliyat with their percussive, insinuating Moroccan rhythms. What a line-up of feminine talent!

Be sure to attend this FREE event in honor of women around the world this coming Sunday, March 8^th. Doors open at 3:00 and the event is scheduled to wind down at 6:30. Light refreshments, organized and donated by Fez Food, will be offered as well.

Don’t you just love women?????

Visit www.culture-vulturesfes.org for more information on International Women’s Day events or pick up a list of events at Cafe Clock.