Wage Work, Women and Decision-making Power in Saiss Morocco

Abstract

Sustained investment in irrigation and land privatization in Morocco created a surge of employment in the Saiss area in the agricultural wage sector for men and especially women. This investment is often hailed as a success in creating job opportunities for the landless poor. Few studies examine the empowering and welfare outcomes of these agricultural policies. Morocco witnessed a sharp increase in female employment in agriculture from 29% in 1980 to 38.9% in 1995, to 47.7% in 2010, while men’s contribution to agriculture decreased considerably from 66 to 55% between 1995 to 2011. Our study examines the case of 400 landless labourers in Morocco (179 women and 221 men) who engage in wage work in the agricultural sector. We explore decision-making power in decisions related to control over work in the wage sector, related income and assets. Using logistic regression models framework and data from qualitative interviews and focus groups, our findings emphasize that men should be sensitized in their attainment of education on gender equality and the importance soliciting women’s participation in decision-making, particularly with regards to landed assets. For the economic advancement of women, there should be a sustained focus on their ownership and control over unalienable assets (such as housing). The same recommendation applies to the youth. Study findings highlight the importance of focusing not just on creating more agricultural employment through export- and commercial-led agricultural production, but also paying closer attention to issues of gender equity in decision-making around asset ownership and income.