On International Women’s Day, Safae El Yaaqoubi highlights the importance of women’s participation in Morocco’s high-tech and industrial sectors, stressing that it is essential to achieving the country’s ambitious growth goals. Despite significant investments and growth in Morocco’s industrial sector, women remain underrepresented, particularly in high-skill industries like automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy.
Sarah Hilali’s experience, where she was rejected from the agrifood industry despite having qualifications similar to her male peers, highlights the gender bias that still prevails in Morocco’s industrial workforce. This systemic issue reflects broader trends, as Morocco’s female labor force participation dropped from 25.5% in 2010 to 19.7% in 2023. Additionally, women hold a limited share of leadership roles in industries that Morocco is targeting for growth, such as automotive, aerospace, and renewable energy.
Despite these challenges, Morocco’s ambitious initiatives—such as the Industrial Acceleration Plan and the Digital Morocco 2030 strategy—are designed to strengthen the country’s industrial base and boost global competitiveness, including efforts to raise female labor force participation to 45% by 2035. However, barriers like gender-based education mismatches, cultural norms, and societal perceptions still prevent women from accessing technical and leadership roles.
Chaymae Bennouri’s journey in AI and data science exemplifies the challenges women face in technical fields. While she succeeded in machine learning and big data, her story is an exception. Implicit biases, lack of mentorship, and limited access to leadership roles continue to hinder the full participation of women in Morocco’s industrial transformation.
The article emphasizes the need for multifaceted approaches to improve women’s representation in high-skill sectors. This includes policy reforms, inclusive recruitment practices, mentorship programs, and gender-sensitive workplace policies. Private sector initiatives, partnerships with academic institutions, and awareness campaigns are crucial in dismantling stereotypes and creating an inclusive workplace culture. By unlocking women’s potential in industrial and high-tech sectors, Morocco can foster innovation, drive economic growth, and achieve sustainable development goals.
