Rabat – Morocco’s Minister of Solidarity, Naima Ben Yahya, shared her country’s evolving response to digital violence against women during the opening session of the 10th General Conference of the Arab Women Organization in Cairo on Monday.
With a focus on legal reforms, awareness efforts, and digital support tools, Ben Yahya noted Morocco’s commitment to safeguarding women and girls in a digital age that continues to present new threats.
The conference brought together policymakers, civil society leaders, and digital rights experts from across the Arab region.
Morocco’s delegation took an active role in the discussions, which explored challenges and practical solutions to online gender-based violence.
In her remarks, Ben Yahya described Morocco’s multi-layered approach, which includes strategic legislation, most notably, the 2018 law to combat violence against women. Although the law does not explicitly refer to cyber violence, it addresses the emotional and psychological harm caused by digital abuse.
The minister also pointed to Morocco’s data protection law as a crucial part of the legal framework. It safeguards citizens’ personal information and helps curb misuse on digital platforms. But even with these protections in place, she acknowledged that the issue remains difficult to tackle.
Another major obstacle, according to Ben Yahya, is a lack of legal knowledge among women. Many do not know how or where to report cyber violence. Others hesitate due to societal pressure or fear of stigma. In many cases, victims are made to feel responsible for what happened to them, which reflects a larger problem at hand. One rooted in persistent stereotypes and a culture that still tolerates certain forms of abuse.
In partnership with civil society and government bodies, the Ministry of Solidarity launched national campaigns such as “together for a responsible and safe digital space for women and girls.” Morocco has also developed online platforms that guide and support women who face all types of violence, including cyber abuse. These platforms connect users to legal and psychological assistance, offer educational material, and create space for anonymous reporting.
Over the two-day conference, 26 experts from various Arab countries presented research and case studies, examined how AI affects women’s digital safety, and discussed how legislation can better adapt to emerging forms of online harm and harassment.
The Arab Women Organization also announced the 2025 edition of its Arab Girl and Technology Award and launched a new guide on how to prepare national reports for the regional CEDAW committee.
The conference will close with a symbolic transition of leadership as the presidency of the Arab Women Organization passes from Egypt to Morocco, signaling the country’s growing role in shaping the region’s digital and gender justice agenda.
And yet, despite the summits, the panels, the growing body of laws and strategies, many women cannot shake a sense of helplessness in the face of their treacherous everyday realities.
In a world still shaped by male dominance, online and offline, words often feel weightless. Is this enough? Will the time for real, irreversible change ever arrive? As conversations grow louder, the need for tangible, material solutions becomes more urgent. Until then, many remain unconvinced that the promises made in conference halls will reach the corners where women continue to suffer in silence.
