Former Prime Minister of Morocco tells girls that “it is better to get married than to study”
Abdelilah Benkirane, leader of moderate Islamism in Morocco, questions whether education is the best option for girls. He suggests that they should prioritise marriage and then study.
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Abdelilah Benkirane He was Prime Minister of Morocco between 2011 and 2017 and is the leader of the Justice and Development Party (PJD)., the country's main moderate Islamist force. Considered one of the most influential figures in contemporary Morocco, It has a strong ideological weight. despite his party having been relegated to the opposition since 2021.
At a political event held recently in the city of Agadir, Benkirane delivered a speech that has sparked controversy. According to the media outlet Bloody.net, has stated that many girls put their studies and work before marriage, but that this choice can have consequences. “Perhaps the ring will pass and the studies will no longer matter.”, he said. And he added: “If you miss the chance to get married, you'll end up like a lonely stork.”.
The role of women according to moderate Islam in Morocco
It is not the first time that Abdelilah Benkirane has sparked controversy with his statements. During his tenure as prime minister, he was involved in several contentious incidents over his views on the role of women and family values. In a television interview, he stated that “”the natural place of a woman is in the home“ and that "her public presence should be discreet"”.
He has also compared modern society to a “meat market” where, according to him, the woman's body is displayed as if it were a product. In 2015, he caused outrage in feminist circles in to claim that equality policies “destroy the family” and lead to “moral decay.”. On numerous occasions he has expressed his opposition to legalising abortion, homosexuality or any form of sex education in schools.
This combination of religious populism and moralising discourse It has earned him a solid support base among conservative sectors, but also numerous criticisms both at home and abroad.
Moderate Islamism uncompromising on homosexuality
’The so-called “moderate Islamism” represented by Benkirane is defined by an active defence of traditional values, especially on matters of gender and sexuality.
A significant example of this ideological line is a speech delivered by Benkirane in 2022, in which He warned against any attempt to decriminalise homosexuality or adultery in Morocco.. At a meeting with young PJD militants, he denounced these proposals as a “derive” and stated that would lead to “turning boys into girls and girls into boys”. According to him, his party has the mission of “to forbid evil and command good”, even if it costs him media or electoral rejection.
Benkirane's discourse does not encounter widespread rejection in Moroccan society, which remains marked by religious and conservative values. According to a recent survey, , 82 per cent of Moroccan citizens reject homosexuality. and the country is the leader in homophobia in Africa. This social context helps to understand why statements like those by Benkirane can generate controversy abroad., but to fit fully within the national public discourse.
Conservative discourse with Islam and tradition as foundations
The Justice and Development Party (PJD), which Benkirane has led for years, represents a line of institutional political IslamismUnlike other more radical movements, the PJD accepts Morocco's constitutional framework and collaborates with the monarchy. For a decade it has led democratically elected governments, especially in the wake of the Arab Spring, which shook the region from 2011 onwards.
Despite this adaptation to institutions, the party maintains clearly conservative positions on social issues. Benkirane, as the central figure of the movement, s’They have repeatedly spoken out against reforms related to gender equality, sexual rights and individual freedoms.. His style combines religious rhetoric with popular references, and he often uses a provocative tone to assert his ideological profile.
Child marriage, a legal practice in Morocco
In Morocco, the legal minimum age to marry is 18. However, The Family Code allows for exceptions if the marriage is authorised by a judge.. This legal loophole has allowed thousands of girls to marry before the age of majority. According to official data, only In 2021, more than 19,000 applications to marry minors were registered., and the vast majority were approved.
Human rights organisations and feminist groups have been denouncing this situation for years. They point out that Early marriage limits girls' opportunities, excludes them from the education system and exposes them to situations of vulnerability.. Despite international recommendations, the debate to reform the family code remains stalled.
At the same time, female school attendance has improved in recent decades, but territorial and social inequalities persist. In rural or disadvantaged areas, many girls still drop out of school before completing secondary education. It is in this context that messages like Benkirane's take on a significant political and symbolic dimension.
Moroccans who are calling for change
Abdelilah Benkirane's words come at a time when Various sectors in Morocco are calling for a profound reform of the family code and greater guarantees for the rights of girls.. Her discourse, by contrast, reinforces a traditional view that prioritises marriage as the social destiny for women. Beyond the immediate controversy, her statements highlight the persistent tension between conservative values and the aspirations for change that run through Moroccan society.
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