A significant number of single mothers have been denied government subsidies, despite a recent initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to vulnerable families, according to a report released by a coalition of Moroccan women’s rights organizations.
The report, compiled by seven associations forming the “Collective Coalition for the Defense of the Rights of Single Mothers and Their Children, shed light on the pervasive challenges faced by single mothers in Morocco.
Of the 1,425 single mothers surveyed between May 2023 and April 2024, none had received the promised MAD500 monthly allowance.
This failure has been attributed to bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of clarity in the application process, particularly regarding the categorization of single mothers within the government’s database.
The report noted the psychological toll this denial of benefits has taken on single mothers. Many reported feelings of frustration and despair as they struggled to make ends meet while caring for their children.
The coalition said that this lack of support constitutes a form of violence against women, as it forces them into precarious economic situations.
Beyond the financial challenges, the report also documented the obstacles single mothers face in accessing employment and healthcare.
Despite government programs designed to promote women’s economic empowerment, many single mothers remain trapped in low-wage, informal jobs or are unable to find work at all.
This lack of economic security limits their ability to access essential services, such as healthcare and education, for themselves and their children.
The report said that criminalization of abortion and extramarital sex, as outlined in articles 453 and 490 of the Moroccan Penal Code, respectively, has been identified as a major source of vulnerability for single mothers.
Fear of prosecution can deter women from reporting acts of violence or seeking legal recourse, leaving them trapped in abusive relationships.
The coalition called for urgent reforms to address the systemic discrimination faced by single mothers in Morocco.
The government must provide clear guidelines for the allocation of social benefits, ensuring that single mothers are not excluded from support programs.
The government should implement targeted programs to help single mothers develop the skills and networks necessary to secure stable employment.
The report said that Morocco’s laws should be reformed to protect the rights of single mothers and their children. This includes strengthening legal protections related to child custody, inheritance, and domestic violence.
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