This article features Fondation YTTO and its year-round caravans that travel through some of Morocco’s most isolated villages. By reaching out to communities, especially women and girls, the foundation raises awareness of gender-based violence and discrimination, working to permanently eradicate these issues.
With the support of the Feminists in Action project, Fondation YTTO tours associations and networks that were founded in villages as a result of previous caravan visits. The caravans’ overall mission is to mobilize communities to be proactive agents in changing behaviors and fostering greater equality.
ON THE ROAD TO REACH REMOTE COMMUNITIES
The president of Fondation YTTO Najat Ikhich shares: “Founded in May 2004, Fondation YTTO chose to perform grassroots work directly, reaching out to women where they live. Through these caravans, which are now on their 20th social mission, the foundation addresses a wide range of issues to promote gender equality. With the recent earthquake, we’ve been operating almost as a permanent caravan tour. Women endure tremendous hardships.”
The caravans tackle topics critical to achieving gender equality, such as health rights, education, and enhancing women’s legal and economic status. Its activities and events are tailored to local and regional priorities and shaped by the experiences of women and girls, meeting community needs. YTTO focuses heavily on combating forced marriages and the dropout of girls from school.
Currently, about 300 women and girls are involved in networks and associations dedicated to raising awareness among nearly 25,000 women and girls in villages across regions like Imilchil, Rif, Azilal, Ouarzazate, Zagora, Tata, Sidi Ifni, and Taroudant.
| ZOOMING ON THE NORMALIZATION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE A recent national survey reveals that 52% of Moroccan women report experiencing domestic violence. This violence is often normalized and socially accepted; 31% of men and 27% of women believe a partner has the right to punish their spouse for “perceived faults”. Additionally, issues within the household, including violence, are frequently viewed as private matters. As a result, only 8% of women report violence to authorities, while 38% face violence in the name of family stability. |
CONSEQUENCES OF AN EARTHQUAKE: TAKING ACTION IN DEVASTATED VILLAGES
The teams of Fondation YTTO actively traveled when the earthquake struck the Marrakech region. Najat Ikhich shares*: “When the earthquake hit, we were working at the grassroots. Despite the continuous aftershocks, we decided to keep working, focusing on observing and listening to women’s needs. They needed a form of group therapy; they wanted to talk. We went back to them a week later to further understand their needs.
Forty villages were destroyed, resulting in a catastrophic situation. We had to establish the necessary structures to protect women and girls. Post-disaster, new issues often arise, such as food trafficking or the forced marriage of girls. Boys, on the other hand, are targeted by extremists to forcibly attend religious schools.
Initially, we had set up tents as an emergency measure, but a storm took them away. We then shifted to using mobile homes, which are more secure, locked, and equipped with toilets—a major concern for women.
The earthquake had a significant impact on our work. Our primary goal remains to support displaced women and girls while also fulfilling our role in monitoring and advocacy. We meticulously monitor the distribution of reconstruction funds to ensure that women also receive their fair share. We actively negotiate for this to happen.”
*Comments taken from a webinar on women’s organizations in the face of natural disasters, organized by the Mediterranean Women’s Fund.