Support Girls and Women's Co-Ops in Morocco

Women’s cooperatives are integral to Morocco’s development. In rural areas, where certain gender disparities remain intact, these cooperatives further encourage the transformation of already shifting gender norms.   Training women in embroidery and sewing skills provides women with autonomous sources of income and bolsters the impact of their voices in their communities. The revenues earned from the cooperative activities, in turn, support the continued existence of the cooperatives and diversify families’ income bases. These cooperatives, identified as priorities by the communities themselves, display the inclusive Moroccan Spirit: men and women create a stronger Morocco as they partner to advance the socioeconomic development of their communities.

Recently HAF conducted extensive community participatory meetings throughout the province of Al Haouz. This province is located in the Tensift-Al Haouz region that traverses both Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains as well as its valleys, creating a complex and difficult landscape.  Out of the twenty-nine villages in which HAF supervised participatory meetings, seven of these recognized women’s cooperatives as a priority. The significance of this number increases when taken into account that a handful of these villages already have women’s cooperatives in place. As the next step forward we hope to assist these communities in establishing women’s cooperatives and contributing to their development.  

Thanks to your continued support HAF has been able to expand the scope of its women’s cooperative building in rural Morocco and make a noticeable difference in the lives of not only the women themselves, but also their children and families. 

Last month on March 7th, HAF celebrated International Women's Day with women across Morocco and the world. Malika Kassi, Director of Programs in Al Haouz Province and manager of the women's cooperative project described the connection between women's empowerment and human development in general:

"The growth of women's power and the sustainability of development are inherently tied together. Women have great potential to create and implement solutions to their community problems; these solutions often turn into oppurtunities for the socio-economic benefit not only of themselves, but of their whole families."  

International Women's Day was a moment to reflect on the important role women play in human development throughout the world. At the High Atlas Foundation, we are fortunate to have powerful female role models and community leaders participating in our programs. These mothers, students, teachers, thinkers and entrepreneurs are the backbone of the Moroccan economy. We are grateful to have met and worked with hundreds of women and girls from throughout Morocco, all of whom share a common goal: to create a better tomorrow for their country and their families. Please read more on HAF's International Women's Day blog to hear from the beneficiaries themselves.

Thanks to your generous support, HAF can continue to expand its women's empowerment efforts throughout Morocco and the region. Your donations allow women and girls to participate in independent income-generating activities, and set the stage for improved gender equality and dynamics in rural Morocco.