Moroccan Politician Sparks Outrage: "Marriage More Important Than Girls’ Education

"Marriage is more important than girls’ schooling," said Abdelilah Benkirane, during a political rally in Agadir on July 5th. He added: "Girls, stop saying: ’We’re going to study, work, then get married.’ [...] You can do all that after marriage. But if you miss the opportunity to get married, your studies won’t matter anymore. You’ll end up like a lonely stork." Enough to spark a wide controversy on social media.

"When triviality controls the thinking of a politician, the issues raised become worthless, and with them, the essence of real problems is lost," commented an Instagram user. "Let’s hope you’ll apply that to your daughter too," writes another. Associations also criticize these tips from the Islamist leader. The Kif Mama Kif Baba association denounces a "reactionary sermon." According to them, 97% of girls married before the age of 18 definitively abandon school.

"While the State is investing billions to keep girls in school, ’you tell them to go out and wait for a ring?’" the association is outraged. On the other hand, other Moroccan Internet users align themselves with Benkirane. One of them suggested indignantly: "This is the true religion. Women should, after all, get married, start a family and serve their husband."