Enhancing Women's Spaces in Moroccan Mosques
In Morocco, new mosque projects are set to significantly enhance the space allocated for women within these sacred structures. The Ministry of Habous has established a minimum area specifically designated for women's prayer rooms, which will now include provisions for women with disabilities. Currently, only one-fifth of the prayer space in Moroccan mosques is reserved for women, but this will increase to at least 30% in new constructions, effectively doubling their share of the area.
This new directive is outlined in a report concerning the gender equality budget, released on October 23 alongside the 2027 finance bill. The ministry has integrated four essential requirements into the architectural standards for future mosques. For instance, in a mosque with a total prayer area of 1,000 square meters, a minimum of 300 square meters will now be set aside for women, compared to the previous average of only 200 square meters.
The report also highlights the significant demand for these spaces; as of 2025, the satisfaction rate for women's needs in prayer areas was a mere 27.6%, according to the indicators monitored by the ministry. This reflects a pressing need for improvement in accessibility and space for women worshippers.
Accessibility Improvements for Women Worshippers
Another pivotal change focuses on accessibility. When a women's prayer room is situated on a mezzanine or upper level, the building must provide a ground-floor space for worshippers with disabilities, ensuring that all individuals can partake in religious practices without hindrance. This is a crucial adaptation for those who may face challenges using stairs.
Furthermore, the new plans include women's ablution areas and sanitary facilities, with at least one installation designed specifically for women with disabilities. Accessibility features will be integrated to facilitate movement throughout the place of worship, ensuring that all women are accommodated effectively.
These regulations pertain to the construction of new mosques and are part of the ministry's roadmap towards 2032, which focuses on improving access to places of worship and religious education.
In the realm of religious education, female participation is already remarkable. In the 2025-2026 academic year, women constituted 90.3% of the beneficiaries of literacy courses organized in mosques and represented 83.3% of the teaching staff involved in this program.
As reported by bladi.net.
