Scholars have linked gender-based violence to the deteriorating image of women in the media.

An extensive discussion on “Gender, Culture and Violence in Morocco” marked the first day of the “International Conference of African Women in the Media” AWIM2022 at its sixth session in Fez on Thursday evening; Where academics and experts unanimously agreed in a discussion about the importance of new media in raising awareness and raising awareness of the dangers of gender-based violence.

Fatima Siddiqui, a university professor specializing in gender studies and linguistics at the University of Sidi Muhammad ibn Abdallah in Fez, wrote that thinking deeply about the media scene reveals that it is “largely feminine, as women are still present in it.” digitally and galore” before realizing, saying, “But when you research more and dig deeper into the presence of women in the media, we find that they resist a lot of pressure that may not seem like an observer of the female media scene.”

“Tabs for empowering women in the media”

Siddiqi, who heads the Center for Women and ISIS Development, added in a statement to Hespress on the sidelines of the discussion that “one of the most important conclusions that the speakers came to is confirmation of the constant presence of taboos that still exist in our minds. , men and women, regarding the empowerment of women in the media”. a field dominated by men, despite her numerical and numerical presence in the field.”

The same university underlined “the discussion session’s approach to some aspects and manifestations of marginalization that affect women in or through the media”, pointing out that it is “a culture that does not necessarily stem from religion, but rather a masculine culture that we are consolidating” . like a society.”

“We need to change how we understand these issues, which means we need to work harder on how we deal with this marginalization,” Siddiqi continues, emphasizing that “men should not be seen as enemies, but rather as the idea that democracy and pluralism cannot be achieved. without including women, which is a positive direction for solutions from a constructive point of view.” What should be done about it is “the proper use of women’s rights so that we can advance more as a society.”

The spokeswoman concluded: “We are positive about things that put more pressure on women than on men. Because when a woman goes out to work in the media, she takes with her a sense of guilt because of the multiplicity of her duties between home and outside the home. MASS MEDIA; We want her to reach more leadership positions and be given the opportunity to succeed in the media as a woman, and she doesn’t necessarily have to submit to a man in this regard, given the ease of her natural sense of communication. compared to males.

“Misconceptions” about culture

For her part, Hayat Nusiri, Professor of Gender Studies and Linguistics at the University of Sultan Moulay Suleiman Beni Mellal, in her speech highlighted the “distorted image of women in Moroccan culture”, noting that “although Moroccan women sought to rebel, change their status in society and gain higher status politically, economically and educationally, but still forced to fall behind.”

Nassiri considered this a clear sign of “the need for redoubled efforts”; “Government agencies, politicians, researchers and civil society still need to intensify their efforts to combat the spread of various types of violence against women,” she said.

In the words of the same speaker, “One of the most dangerous types of violence against women, common in the Moroccan context, is domestic violence, especially against wives, as well as the perceptions formed around divorced women and unmarried girls, especially in rural areas (besieged slanderous descriptions that detract from their dignity).

Nusiri added in a statement to Hespress that “underage marriage is considered a form of violence against a Moroccan girl because it deprives her of her first rights, i.e. the right to study and education” and also deprives her of responsibility for her. solutions. She added: “Illiteracy is also a form of social violence against women, especially in rural areas.”

“The dominant view of patriarchal culture is clearly evident in the way in which female characters are diagnosed and treated in some Moroccan films,” the gender researcher noted, before confirming that “some films reflect a distorted image of Moroccan women.” Finally, she linked the distortions to the media, especially in some Moroccan films that reinforce this view of Moroccan women, citing Zayn Lee Fik and Hayat as examples, and recommending the media as a medium that addresses the many and wide categories so as not to reproduce this view of the inferiority of women.

Technology fights violence against women

The presentation by Mohi al-Naji, Research Professor in Linguistics and Gender at the University of Fez, focused on “how to use technology and modern means of communication (especially social media) to combat violence against women, especially those who work in MASS MEDIA.

Al-Naji gave a comprehensive and historical overview of Morocco’s achievements in women’s rights; Starting with the reform of the Family Code and other legislative amendments (the abolition of Chapter 475 of the Criminal Code and the criminalization of sexual harassment), as well as the role of women’s associations and civil society in enhancing women’s rights.

The speaker also emphasized that the most important conclusions of the discussion relate to the fact that “violence against women can be combated through the optimal use of new technologies, especially social networks, as important tools available to all at a low cost, which can be used for the benefit of women for to raise awareness of the dangers of violence and the importance of equality, and to educate young people.”