IFES Launches Innovative Website to Decrease the Gender Gap in the MENA Region

November 7, 2011

SWMENA.org, an interactive website that provides data on the status of women in the Middle East and North Africa, is now live.

Gender Issues, Civil Society

SWMENA.org Launches on 3 November

October 28, 2011

SWMENA.org, the digital complement to the Status of Women in the Middle East and North Africa (SWMENA) program, will go live on 3 November. The interactive website will feature all data collected between 2009 and 2010 on the social, political and economic status of women in Lebanon, Morocco and Yemen in three languages.

Gender Issues, Civil Society, Public Opinion

Public Opinion Data and Political and Legal Reform Opportunities for Women in Yemen, Morocco and Lebanon

September 22, 2011

As people across the Middle East and North Africa continue to protest for greater freedom and equality under repressive regimes, women have an unprecedented opportunity to capture some of the newly created political space and ensure gender rights are integrated into political and legal reforms.

Legal Framework, Gender Issues

IFES Releases Paper on the Use of Gender Quotas in the Arab World

February 10, 2011

One of the most controversial, yet important tools to promote women into the political arena has been the gender quota. The Strategic use of Gender Quotas in the Arab World,  written by Hybl Reseach Fellow Bozena Chrisina Welbourne, explores the mix of incentives seen in the variation in gender quota adoption within legislatures across the Middle East and North Africa.

Gender Issues, Public Funding

The Strategic Use of Gender Quotas in the Arab World

February 09, 2011

Why are levels of gender representation and gender-related policy reform in Morocco higher than in Lebanon? Lebanon has long boasted a cosmopolitan, educated culture and was hailed the “Paris of the Middle East” up until the civil war.

Gender Issues, Public Funding

Collaborating with Visionaries to Improve the Status of Women in Morocco

July 29, 2010

In June, I traveled to Morocco with the Status of Women in the Middle East and North Africa (SWMENA) project team. SWMENA is an innovative, regional project that uses scientific surveys to gather data on various aspects of women’s status, and then use this data  —as well as tools to maximize its use—to assist local NGOs in conducting advocacy campaigns to improve the status of women in their countries.

Civic Education, Civil Society

International NGO Releases Survey Findings on Women’s Political Standing in Morocco

June 22, 2010

RABAT—A national survey on attitudes towards the political, economic, social and legal status of women in Morocco released today by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) shows that while women’s political and civic participation is low, there is relatively high support for gender quotas on behalf of both sexes. The survey, however, indicated that men are much less supportive than women of the Family Law or Moudawana.

Gender Issues, Public Opinion, Election Observation, Elections

Focus on Morocco | Civic and Political Participation Topic Brief

June 22, 2010

This topic brief presents the main findings from the SWMENA survey in Morocco on civic and political participation. It includes an analysis of civic engagement through membership in different types of organizations and taking part in different activities to express opinions on political and social issues. Voting behavior is also explored in reference to participation in the 2009 municipal elections in June 2009 as well as women’s opinions about policy priorities and factors influencing their voting choices.

Civic Education, Gender Issues, Public Opinion, Voter Turnout

Focus on Morocco | Educational Attainment and Career Aspirations Topic Brief

June 22, 2010

This topic brief presents the main findings on educational attainment and aspirations from the SWMENA survey in Morocco, a survey of 2,500 women and men 18 and older, fielded in 2010. 

Civic Education, Gender Issues, Public Opinion, Education

Focus on Morocco | Freedom of Movement, & Freedom from Harassment & Violence Topic Brief

June 22, 2010

This topic brief presents key findings from the SWMENA survey in Morocco. One portion of the survey examined the extent to which women enjoyed freedom of movement without pressures from family or society, attitudes towards violence against women, and the degree to which domestic violence is tolerated or rejected by society.

Civic Education, Gender Issues, Public Opinion