Translation of Benkiran’s speech on women’s roles in Morocco

New Jersey – Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane spoke before the parliament Wednesday on women’s roles in Moroccan society. The following is a translation of his full speech.

“Today, there is a problem with the role of women in Moroccan society. If Morocco is to model itself after the European example in regard to the role of women, women won’t find time to get married, to be mothers, or to educate their children.

Why don’t we embrace this sacred status that God gave to women? Why wouldn’t you tell me to consider this role honors women? Why do not you consider a stay-home-mother who takes care of her house and raises her children a working woman?

Don’t you realize that when women went to work outside, the light went out of their homes? You do not realize that! Why? Maybe because you grew up in a house lit by lanterns. Those lanterns were your mothers who filled your house with their warmth, their hugs, and their presence, providing you with food and water, keeping you safe, protected, and secure in the night. You grew up in their environment to become men and women, God bless you!

Today, however, you find many children, some of who are just six or seven years old, get home and find a dark place, with nobody inside. He has to take care of himself using his own means, waiting for his mother and father who may come home late or may come home not at all, and God knows what may happen to him during that time.

Do not blame us for taking family into consideration and for giving it tremendous importance. This is right! And if we are wrong, we proudly assume our error. We feel that God is honoring us by believing so, and we will continue to defend our position against this modernity that is trying to eliminate family in our lives by reversing the roles of men and women. To that we say “NO!”

Translated by Rachida Bentaleb. Edited by Timothy Filla

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