Morocco Unveils First Annual Report on Domestic Violence: 5.3 Million Women Affected

This report, which will be presented on Monday, May 31, is a comprehensive review of the actions, achievements recorded and proposals for better care of women victims of violence in Morocco, where an estimated 5.3 million (46.1%) of women are victims of domestic violence.

The initiative is supported by the joint program between the European Union and the Council of Europe entitled "Regional Support for the Consolidation of Human Rights, the Rule of Law and Democracy in the Southern Mediterranean" (South IV Program), co-financed by the two organizations and implemented by the Council of Europe.

Chaired by Zhour El Horr, the commission is the specialized national instrument in the fight against violence against women in Morocco. According to a study, the marital context remains the living space most marked by violence and psychological violence remains the most widespread form.

Indeed, during the year 2019, more than 7.6 million women, or 57.1%, suffered at least one act of violence, in all contexts and forms combined. In the professional environment, on the other hand, only 15.1% of women have suffered the phenomenon of violence in the exercise of their function, while 12.6% have suffered from it in the public space.

To reverse this trend, the national commission was set up on September 5, 2019, in accordance with law 103.13 and its implementing decree. It has administrative and decision-making independence, and is composed of 19 members representing government departments and central administrations concerned with violence against women.