(3 March 2016) Often called “Zania,” or prostitutes, they are marginalized, pushed away, humiliated, they often face discrimination in the workplace… Their “guilt” is being single mothers. In Morocco, even today, an out-of-wedlock pregnancy is a serious transgression of the cultural, social and religious norms. Single mothers are pushed away from their families and their social circles, often living alone for the rest of their lives. Without an income or a home, 36% of these mothers are obliged to abandon their children. Even the legal context doesn’t help: law 490 of the Moroccan Penal Code punishes any extramarital sexual relationship with a penalty ranging from one month up to one year in prison. In this context, the secular and independent humanitarian organization “Soleterre” safeguards the inviolable rights of individuals. Soleterre supports the Moroccan social project “Mère en Ligne”, to defend and protect single mothers. ”Mère en Ligne”, in partnership with the Moroccan Association “100% Mamans” of Tangier, wants to strengthen medical and psychosocial support to Moroccan single mothers, helping them work, gain legal support and raise awareness on these issues. The project also offers these women new social redemption opportunities by involving them in the management of a web radio, which also serves as an instrument to give voice to their stories, defend their rights and help other women who, like them, have been repudiated by society. “What Moroccan women who have children out of wedlock suffer is a real violence, a form of psychological abuse that a macho culture perpetuates against them and their children – explained Damiano Rizzi, president of Soleterre – To stop a mom from exercising her parental role, nullifying the role, causes considerable existential damage, forcing the mother to abandon her child, with traumatic consequences on the mental health of both. Often, these are already vulnerable women who come from contexts of social deprivation (70% of them are illiterate compared to a national average of female illiteracy which stands at around 40%). The bond between a mother and her baby is crucial, especially in the first 3 years of life – when the human brain develops up to 90% of its adult size and builds most of the systems and structures that will be responsible for all future emotional, behavioral, social and psychological aspects. With this project, Soleterre wants to protect the emotional bond between a mother and her child, recognizing a mother’s status”. (PO / red)
