Financial inclusion in Morocco Ben Murphy-Schmehl................................................................................................................................46 In recent years, Morocco has experienced double-digit growth in account ownership at formal financial institutions. Despite this expansion, use of these services is low. This accessibility–usage gap can be attributed to a cash-reliant economy, low levels of financial literacy, and negative perceptions of formal financial institutions. Strategies to address this gap lie in leveraging the familiarity of informal financial systems to introduce financial products in line with the needs of the Moroccan unbanked population. Overharvesting medicinal and aromatic plants in rural Moroccan communities Tessa Dougan..............................................................................................................................................55 Morocco is a biodiverse nation providing a rich source of medicinal and aromatic plants that contribute to health care of and income for rural communities. Unfortunately, collection of the plants is currently done chiefly through unsustainable foraging practices. This article analyzes the impact of these practices on rural economies and offers solutions for better harvesting and business practices. Gender-based violence in Morocco Sarah A. Mixsell......................................................................................................................................... 63 Gender-based violence is pervasive in Morocco, particularly affecting women ages 15 to 74, and is perpetuated by Morocco’s legal framework and societal norms despite efforts from international human rights organizations and local NGOs. This article examines its prevalence, emphasizing domestic violence and intimate partner violence. It proposes comprehensive solutions, including legal reforms, survivor protection, and educational initiatives to empower future generations. Prioritizing respect, equality, and empowerment can lead to a Moroccan society free from gender-based violence. Preserving Indigenous culture in Morocco Layan Suleiman..........................................................................................................................................71 A majority of Moroccans today are genetically linked to the Indigenous Imazighen tribes of North Africa. Through centuries of intermixing and twentieth-century European colonization, Morocco moved toward a policy of Arabization. Today, state negligence and lack of investment in educational, health-care, and transportation infrastructure have left these primarily rural communities with little choice but to migrate to urban centers, effectively risking the loss of their language and culture over the course of time. Morocco’s road to clean power William Yaeger...........................................................................................................................................79 Morocco’s plan to decarbonize is centered on a transition to renewable power in which the kingdom has invested heavily over the past decade. Despite notable progress, it will need to substantially scale up its current investments to meet its ambitious climate targets. This article examines Morocco’s recent progress toward clean power and offers an analysis of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as the country seeks to complete its energy transition. Unlocking Morocco’s real estate potential through collective investment vehicles Alexander S. Damle...................................................................................................................................87 Morocco ranks in the top 10 of the most developed countries in Africa yet continues to struggle with issues of savings mobilization and general GDP growth. This article analyzes Morocco’s 2016 implementation of organismes de placement collectif immobilier (real estate collective investment organizations) and their role in the country’s economic growth. After discussing these organizations across a variety of dimensions, strategies are proposed to mitigate risks facing such instruments in the Moroccan landscape. ix
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