The short version
- King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Zahra El Mansouri as prime minister, marking a historic first for women in the role despite her party’s parliamentary coalition victory.
- The appointment has triggered backlash from conservative figures and online satire, while younger citizens and activists view it as a potential catalyst for broader social reforms.
- Significant legal barriers remain regarding gender equality, particularly in inheritance laws, polygamy regulations, and access to education for rural girls.
King Mohammed VI has appointed Fatima Zahra El Mansouri as Morocco’s prime minister, making her the first woman to hold the country’s highest executive office. The decision follows a September parliamentary election in which El Mansouri’s Authenticity and Modernity Party secured the largest number of seats. Her party subsequently formed a coalition with three other political groups, collectively controlling 207 of the 395 available parliamentary positions. While the monarch retains significant executive power within Morocco’s constitutional monarchy framework, this appointment represents a symbolic shift in the nation’s political landscape.
The historic nature of the appointment has not prevented a resurgence of conservative criticism. Mustafa Ramid, a former justice minister from an Islamist-led government, publicly questioned the suitability of a woman for the role by citing an Islamic saying suggesting that societies entrusting affairs to women will fail. He argued that Morocco maintains a balance between equality and state responsibilities by reserving the kingship for men. This perspective reflects broader tensions within a society where religious authority continues to exert substantial influence over public discourse and policy.
Public reaction to the new leadership has been sharply divided along generational and ideological lines. Street interviews conducted by local media revealed that many older men expressed discomfort with a woman leading the government, though some accepted the decision out of deference to the king’s authority. Online platforms have become venues for political satire, with viral videos mocking potential parliamentary conflicts through gendered stereotypes. Conversely, younger Moroccans, particularly women, have largely welcomed the appointment as a milestone for gender representation in high-level governance.
El Mansouri brings extensive experience to the role, having served in various capacities over two decades, including as mayor of Marrakech and minister for national territory planning under the previous administration. She has framed her appointment as a significant achievement for Moroccan women. However, critics and observers note that her position places her between competing pressures: the absolute authority of the monarchy, the conservative stance of religious clerics, and the advocacy efforts of feminist groups seeking substantive legal reforms.
One of the most contentious areas of debate involves family law, specifically the Moudawana code governing marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Current laws dictate that daughters typically receive half the inheritance share of sons in comparable circumstances. The Higher Council of Ulemas, the body of religious scholars, has resisted calls for equal inheritance rights, citing Islamic jurisprudence. They have also opposed abolishing taasib, a rule requiring female orphans without brothers to share their inheritance with male relatives. A 2022 report by the National Human Rights Council linked these unequal inheritance rules to higher poverty rates among women.
Reforms proposed in 2024 aimed at updating the family code have yet to become law. These proposals included allowing women to stipulate in marriage contracts that their husbands cannot take additional wives, addressing concerns about polygamy which remains legal under certain conditions. Women’s rights groups have criticized exceptions to these rules, particularly those relating to a first wife’s infertility or illness, arguing they violate privacy and medical confidentiality. The slow progress on these legislative changes underscores the difficulty of altering deeply entrenched social norms.
Beyond family law, advocates are urging the new government to address disparities in education for girls, particularly in rural areas. Data from 2025 indicates that only 55% of girls aged 15 to 17 attend school in rural Morocco, compared to 100% in urban centers. Barriers include poverty, early marriage, long distances to schools, and unsafe transportation. Activists like Chifae Laazouzi highlight practical issues such as the lack of access to menstrual sanitary products, which contributes to dropout rates. The taboo surrounding menstrual health further complicates efforts to keep girls in school.
The path forward for El Mansouri’s administration will likely involve navigating these complex social and legal challenges. While her appointment signals a break from tradition, the extent to which she can drive meaningful change remains uncertain. The monarchy’s continued dominance over executive power limits the scope of independent political action. Meanwhile, conservative religious institutions maintain significant sway over public opinion and legislative priorities. The coming months will reveal whether this historic appointment translates into tangible improvements for women’s rights or remains largely symbolic amidst persistent structural inequalities.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC World↗Morocco's first female prime minister caught between the king, clerics, and feminists
