66 PERSPECTIVES ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS | VOL 42 | 2024 gender inequity, shedding light on issues of VAW, with a particular focus on addressing sexual violence against girls and combating child marriage. Unfortunately, Morocco has historically lacked the necessary infrastructure to adequately support and sustain, through funding mechanisms such as grants, organizations dedicated to advocating for women’s rights and assisting survivors of GBV. Without government backing and access to financial resources, initiatives aimed at empowering women and combating women’s rights violations struggle to find footing in Morocco. Their survival hinges on explicit support from the government, highlighting the imperative for robust infrastructure and funding to enable these vital social programs. Outside of funding, implementing necessary infrastructure could include the construction of facilities where women and girls can meet to receive educational, social, and public health services. As of now, there appears to be a disconnect between the Moroccan government and the NGOs and community service organizations with ambitions to better the situation of Moroccan women (Hanafi & Alaoui, 2014). Along with the government’s unwillingness to support social programs for women, “conservative and pervasive patriarchal gender attitudes significantly affect women’s status” (Kisa et al., 2021). Advocating for government support for educating and empowering women and for the enforcement of stringent regulations against perpetrators of violence is crucial. In parallel, the support of civil society is equally important; the societal attitudes of Moroccans must shift in order to foster progressive transformation. As complex as this issue may be, it seems as though a primary solution to the issue of DV in Morocco would be a major transformation in cultural attitudes about women. While by Western standards, the current status of women in Morocco might appear to reflect traditional values, it is important to recognize the diversity of opinions within the society. As an expert on marginalized women in Morocco, Alaoui El Hassani emphasized that many Moroccan women may not perceive an issue with their situation, as they have been taught since birth that their purpose is to accommodate men (S. Alaoui El Hassani, personal communication, October 6, 2023). However, attitudes toward gender roles in Morocco are multifaceted, with individuals challenging traditional norms and actively striving for a more diverse and inclusive understanding of women’s roles and rights. Today, the fight for women’s rights manifests in various forms, such as increased representation of women in higher education, pursuit of financial independence, and more women assuming leadership roles (Borgen Project, 2020). Nonetheless, the journey is ongoing. Much of this challenge stems from the persistence of culturally ingrained patriarchal values, which inhibit achieving true liberation from discrimination, oppression, and violence. For many Moroccan women, especially older generations, servitude is integral to the way they value themselves and their purpose in life (S. Alaoui El Hassani, personal communication, October 6, 2023). The meaning of this varies by case; however, traditional Islamic values fundamental to many Moroccans certainly impact their views on what is acceptable in marriage and family. For example, the 34th verse of Chapter 4 of the Quran states: Men are the protectors and maintainers (qawwāmūn) of women, because Allah has given (faḍḍala) the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore[,] the righteous women (ṣāliḥāt) are devoutly obedient (qānitāt), and guard in (the husband’s) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct (nushūz), admonish them (first), (next) refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly) (wa-ḍribūhunna).... Many believers have interpreted this verse as religious justification for the subordination of women to men and for DV (Chaudhry, 2013). Gender and Islamic studies scholar Ayesha Chaudhry (2013) argues that despite the appearance of limited agency, especially within a religious context, these women do possess it; however, the systemic cultural bias they face forces them to seek alternative ways to exercise their autonomy. Contrary to how it may seem, women do have the ability to make choices, such as whom they marry. Nevertheless, women may emphasize financial stability over factors, such as attraction and compatible core values, which then gives men financial authority over their wives and perpetuates gender power imbalances. Where women face limited economic opportunities and freedom, financial stability emerges as a critical factor influencing the underreporting of DV. Only 22.7% of Moroccan women are formally employed (Statista, 2023), suggesting that most Moroccan women financially rely on men. Women often hesitate to report incidents of DV in fear of jeopardizing their economic security should they oppose the wishes of their spouse or male relatives. Recognizing financial vulnerability as a significant
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