Sociology Meets Other Disciplines : Gender and Politics in Morocco

Due to the socio-political movement of “Arab Spring” in 2011 and some measures adopted by Moroccan kingdom to reinforce human rights, women’s representation in the parliament raise to 16.7% in the 2011 legislative elections, to 20.5% in 2016, and 24.00% in the last elections by the year 2021. Despite these gains, significant challenges are still occurred. To analyse this, this research examines how the social roots and political career affect their parliamentary participation including the women MPs characteristics ? as well as their proximity to power within the main and temporary parliamentary bodies ? my research also asks the place of women's issues in the political agenda of women parliamentarians and what they have contributed to the women's cause in order to create a certain social dynamic on gender issues in Morocco ?

In order to answer all the research questions and collect the necessary empirical data, we have already built database as a methodological tool concerning academic qualifications, professions, party affiliations, previous local and legislative political experience, associative and syndical work, age, marital status of Moroccan women MPs. Adopting both quantitative and qualitative analysis leads to investigate their visibility in leadership roles (membership of the political bureau, and as chairs of standing committees, parallel diplomacy organs, and other parliamentary committees). Some findings show that factors of scientific qualification and specialization and professional career influence positively the leadership roles and parliamentary functions. To sum up, the findings of this research would contribute to political knowledge because they might have policy implications, informing decision-makers and providing new insights into political analysis.

This research project relates directly to the impact of sociology on Gender-studies, and which is correspond to opportunities exciting for women in order to mobilize for social and political change through their role in parliament for example in MENA.