Moroccan NGO Report: Lockdown Intensifies Violence Against Women in Factories

These revelations are contained in a report published on Wednesday, July 1 by the NGO MRA Mobilising for Rights Associates, in collaboration with 16 Moroccan women’s rights associations. Data collection took place from April 16, 2020 to May 20, 2020. It emerges that 76.47% of online respondents reported having noticed significant changes in the nature of violence against women during the state of health emergency.

They highlighted "the threat of eviction of the woman from her marital home", "the threat of divorce and the pressure exerted on women to give up their rights in exchange for a divorce". There were also "insults and criticism concerning household chores, cooking and homeschooling of children", reports Aujourd’hui le Maroc.

The violence that has emerged thanks to confinement is as dangerous as that which existed before. Apart from "marital rape", "extreme sexual practices", and "sexual harassment between family members", some mentioned being forced into isolation by their husband. They cannot leave the house, access a phone or a computer. The report also indicated that the pretext of the pandemic has served as an excuse for many husbands who have deprived their wives of "financial support".

The associations also reported "the theft by the husband of his wife’s savings to contribute to household expenses or the use of Covid-19 allowances for purposes other than the household. Despite the seriousness of this violence, women have faced many personal, family and external obstacles to filing a complaint, having no choice but to remain at home, at the mercy of the aggressor.

In its report, the NGO MRA Mobilising for Rights Associates and the participating associations suggested several reform proposals to protect women victims of violence. They recommend giving the police sufficient powers to "receive a complaint", "take witness statements and provide immediate assistance and protection without waiting for the prosecutor’s authorization".

The NGOs believe that the public prosecutor’s office should also provide orders to immediately remove the violent aggressor from the home upon receipt of a complaint so that women and children can remain there. According to the associations, the courts must impose the maximum sentence for all violent offenses committed against women and ensure that convicted aggressors serve their full sentence before being released, the same source specifies.