Morocco’s Gender Gap: Women Underrepresented in Top Government Positions

Out of the 1,160 positions, the number of women appointed to high-level positions that were the subject of consultation during government councils is 137, or 22.8%. This index is reported in the human resources report, a report related to the 2021 Finance Bill. Appointments to the position of director represent the highest rate at 71%, or 824 appointments. We then have 128 people, or 11%, appointed as deans of faculties. We then note the positions of general engineer, general administrator, secretary general, general inspector and university president.

Higher Education and Scientific Research is the sector that has recorded the most appointments of women since 2012. The Ministry of the Interior has recorded only four appointments of women. The Ministry of Development recorded 35 women. Although the rate of appointments of women has increased from 16% in 2012 to 21% in the first half of 2019, the rate has not reached the expected level, for the inclusion of women in the economic and social development process of Morocco.

In his speech to Parliament, King Mohammed VI urged the government to "undertake a thorough revision of the criteria and procedures for appointment to senior positions, in order to encourage national skills to join the civil service and ultimately make it more attractive". A call that comes at a time when the majority parties are accused of announcing appointments without taking competence and merit into account.