[ad_1]
When Morocco defeated Portugal to qualify for the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in Qatar in December, an outburst of jubilation began on the pitch, spread through the stadium bleachers, and eventually took over the Arab world. spread across all regions and even far beyond.
One particular incident caught the world’s attention. Sofian Her Boufal, a key player for the Moroccan national team, danced with her mother in the middle of the field. Photos and videos of this spontaneous expression of happiness were shared by thousands of her internet users. Many represent their relationship with their mother.
Others, however, have a different interpretation. One Dutch columnist argued that we need to “stop glorifying mothers.” More specifically, cases of “mother worship” mask a more “pessimistic image” of the condition of women in Morocco. “Moroccan women are too much mothers and nothing more,” he said.
The article highlights how mainstream feminism often silences the very people it claims to represent. I got it. As a Moroccan woman, daughter and feminist, I believe it is imperative that we – the women and mothers of my country – tell the truth and take it back.
It is up to no one but us to decide how we must fight for women’s rights in Morocco, based on local feminism. Identity must be defined only by us.
Moroccan Mother Essence
Growing up, my mother was the backbone that allowed our family to stand on its own. I saw you put everyone’s needs before your own.
Her story is typical of many Moroccan mothers who juggle work, children and household chores, wearing multiple hats, running from one place to another, giving and, above all, sacrificing. Fathers often do not contribute to domestic labor.
Even Moroccan mothers who do not work outside the home have full-time jobs. They go grocery shopping, carefully prepare all their meals, keep their homes clean, feed crying babies, and play with toddlers.
The vision that the ‘Moroccan mother’ is just a mother is not only false, but essentializes Moroccan women as a group. In fact, there is no such thing as a “Mother of Morocco”. Moroccan women and mothers, like women and mothers around the world, occupy many positions in society, from merchants, doctors and home caregivers to business owners and farmers.
Reducing them to a single identity removes their unique, multidimensional personality.
Dismantling the Binary Lens of Feminism
In some areas of feminism, domestic work is not considered work because it is not financially compensated. Stay-at-home indoor jobs are seen as low-value and non-essential. It doesn’t matter if they work hard all day long. What they do is a given.
Gender inequality in the division of household chores and the non-recognition of domestic work as work are important issues that civil society must discuss. But by looking at women through a black-and-white lens and classifying them as “worthy” or “oppressed” based on their behavior, some feminists argue that they are fighting the very You risk perpetuating the same patriarchal mechanisms.
Creating local Moroccan feminism
If there are those who believe that motherhood must be downplayed in order to achieve equality, we as Moroccan feminists can set different rules for ourselves.For women’s rights It is possible to maintain some of the cultural traits that distinguished our upbringing while fighting against the
It is up to us to define our own feminism, tailor it to the needs of our unique local experience and shape it to suit every Moroccan woman.
We advocate against laws and social norms that fail to protect mothers, and we will not stop until each mother is freed from what she sees as chains. I cherish the strength, courage and grace that continue to show.
An ode to Moroccan mothers
Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or working outside the home, whether or not you divide the domestic work fairly, whether or not you are seen by others as the “girl boss” or “just a mother.” Mothers in Morocco are celebrated.
They deserve public recognition for navigating a harsh system in which they were taught they had to make sacrifices to be the perfect mother. You deserve a standing ovation for surviving the unjust social order that was imposed on you.
Doing so is not “maternal admiration” or “excessive maternal worship.” It’s about acknowledging and appreciating everything they do.
Boufal talks about a mother’s sacrifice. How his mother left for work at 6am to build his future. Far from showing the alienation of women, the footballer’s decision to share with his mother the limelight of the greatest sporting moment in Morocco’s history by dancing on the field with her mother is a tribute to millions of people in my country. A delightful expression of how people feel about their relationship with their mother. The personification of the purest form of love.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial attitude of Al Jazeera.
[ad_2]
Source link
