Rabat – Moroccan women, including artists, journalists, and writers have resorted to activism by cutting their hair in a gesture of solidarity with Iran’s Mahsa Amini, and 14-year-old Moroccan Meriem who died following a clandestine, unsafe abortion.
“For Mahsa Amini, Meriem, and all the others,” reads the campaign’s slogan, which was launched on October 10 to mark National Women’s Day. The campaign aims to defend the rights and freedom of women, as well as speak up about the discrimination they face.
Amini was arrested and detained last month by Iran’s morality police for not complying with the country’s strict hijab regulations. The 22-year-old was reportedly beaten by the police, causing her to fall into a coma and later die.
Meanwhile in Morocco, 14-year-old Meriem passed away after undergoing an unsafe clandestine abortion. The minor was a victim of sexual exploitation and fell pregnant by her abuser.
The devastating event led to renewed public debate about abortion, with many Moroccan activists and women’s rights associations calling for reform in the country’s abortion law, notably in cases of rape, incest, or medical emergencies.
Read also: Moroccan Association Calls for Abortion Law Reform After Death of 14-year-old Girl
Moroccan Outlaws 490, a Moroccan women’s rights movement, posted a video on Instagram featuring several Moroccan female public figures cutting their hair. Some of the influential women include producer Lamia Chraibi, journalist Ghizlane Taibi, actress Latefa Ahrrare, writer Narjis Rerhaye, and many others.
The caption of the video reads: “Against all forms of violence against women, Moroccan women mobilize for the freedoms and rights of Moroccan women […] On October 10, 2022, we cut our hair for the rights of half of society.”
The symbolism of cutting one’s hair was adopted by several Iranian women following the death of Amini, to protest against brutality inflicted by the morality police and the country’s harsh hijab regulations. Several women from across the world followed suit in defiance of the oppressive, sexist laws.
