Moroccan women's political participation monetized ahead of 2026 elections, ADFM alleges
The Democratic Association of Women of Morocco ADFM has raised concerns about the "monetization" of women's political participation in the lead-up to the 2026 legislative elections. The association states that female activists and party leaders have reported that their candidacies are being conditioned on their ability to finance their own campaigns, and sometimes even those of other candidates. The ADFM views these practices as a form of "political violence" and "discrimination against women," highlighting that women already face structural inequalities in accessing resources, power, and influence networks. Khadija Rebbah, a founding member of the ADFM, indicated that the association has received numerous complaints and testimonies from women whose candidacies were either rejected or made conditional on financial contributions, including funding for their party or even male candidates. Rebbah emphasized that these women are experienced activists and leaders, not inexperienced candidates. The ADFM argues that this trend transforms women's political participation into an "auction" where financial capacity outweighs competence and militant history, undermining the purpose of positive discrimination mechanisms and the Fund for the Support of Women's Political Representation. The association warns that this could lead to a "feminization of notables," replicating existing political dynamics where influence is tied to wealth. The ADFM's statement, dated August 30, 2026, calls for a