Survey Reveals Ongoing Discrimination Against Muslim Women in Spain

After conducting its survey of 300 Muslim women, members of their families (150), association staff members (30) and Spanish entities (20) in Andalusia, Madrid, Catalonia, Ceuta and Melilla, the Association concluded that gender-based violence and discrimination are two evils that undermine Spanish society.

According to the study, Muslim women come to Spain in search of work and better social security (access to health, education, pensions, etc.). Having Moroccan (33% of the women surveyed) or Spanish (34%) spouses or ex-spouses, these women reported having suffered violence from the latter. 88 of them said they had been abused or assaulted by their ex-partner, 52 by their current partner and 11 by both their ex-partner and current partner.

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Muslim women in Spain also suffer from employment discrimination. Of the 300 women surveyed, 8% work without a contract, while 32% are unemployed and 28% are housewives. 22% of them admit to having been victims of social or professional harassment, 5% of sexual harassment, 11% of intimidation or threat, 3% of physical violence and 2% of cyberbullying. On the family side, 24% have suffered physical violence, 20% psychological and verbal violence, and 9% intimidation and threats.

Faced with these findings that testify to the rise of discrimination and violence against Muslim women, the Association calls for a pooling of efforts by the various organizations for the protection of victims of gender-based violence.