Feminist coalition slams former PM Benkirane for remarks undermining girls’ right to education

The Feminist Coordination for the Comprehensive and Profound Reform of the Family Code has strongly criticized recent remarks by Abdelilah Benkirane regarding the status of women, arguing that his comments undermine a fundamental right of girls: the right to education and work. In his statements, the Secretary-General of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) suggested that marriage is the only path to a decent life.

«These remarks reflect a deeply retrograde and archaic vision, openly hostile to women’s rights, coming from a political leader and former head of government», denounced the organization, which brings together more than 30 associations and civil society groups.

In a communiqué sent to Yabiladi this Monday, the signatories condemned a position that, according to them, «seeks to erode the foundations of the modern state, disregard institutions and laws, and ignore the significant public investments made to ensure girls' access to education, along with the many achievements that have been gradually built through the combined efforts of the state and various political, intellectual, and civil society actors».

Describing Benkirane’s views as «distorted», the organizations labeled them as «an intellectual and moral failure on the part of their author, who seems to advocate for the perpetuation of ignorance and illiteracy among women». They further deplored a discourse that «encourages harmful practices such as early marriage and the exploitation of minors», calling it a «manifest act of symbolic violence and a public incitement to discrimination».

«Education is an inalienable right for all, girls and boys alike. It is a crucial gateway to accessing all other rights, including the right to build a stable and fulfilling family life based on mutual respect, justice, and equality of rights and responsibilities», the signatories emphasized.

In this context, the collective urges «parents to ensure their daughters’ education and support them in pursuing their studies», noting that education, beyond developing intellectual and cognitive skills, «fosters autonomy and significantly improves women’s personal and family lives».

The statement also calls on «political and cultural elites, and all forces committed to freedom and equality», to «firmly condemn such regressive positions».