About ADFM

Founded in 1985, Democratic Association of Women of Morocco (ADFM) has been a leading force in Morocco’s feminist movement for four decades. ADFM works to advance gender equality by challenging discriminatory laws and social norms, strengthening women’s participation in public life, and advocating for legal and structural reforms that promote justice, democracy, and human rights. 

Shaped by feminist organizing and evidence-based advocacy, ADFM combines research, public campaigns, training, coalition building, and community mobilization to expand women’s influence across political, legal, economic, and social institutions. The organization works closely with civil society actors, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to promote lasting reforms and strengthen feminist leadership throughout Morocco. 

As one of the founding partners of Women’s Learning Partnership since 2000, ADFM has played a central role in shaping regional feminist advocacy and movement-building efforts. Drawing on WLP methodologies, curricula, and international networks, the organization has strengthened its leadership programs and expanded opportunities for collaboration across the Middle East and North Africa. ADFM works primarily in Arabic and French. 

A major focus of ADFM’s recent work has been combating gender-based violence, including technology-facilitated abuse. Through large-scale awareness campaigns, media engagement, educational tools, and policy advocacy, the organization has reached hundreds of thousands of people nationally and internationally while advancing stronger protections for women and girls. ADFM also uses intergenerational dialogue, youth engagement, and artivism to equip emerging feminist leaders with the skills to advocate for reforms, including changes to Morocco’s family code. 

Against the backdrop of ongoing political, cultural, and economic challenges, ADFM continues to adapt, build coalitions, and strengthen feminist movements across Morocco and the region, advancing a vision of a more equal, inclusive, and democratic society.

Organizational Programs and Activities

• Soulaliyate Women’s Land Rights Program: Advocates for the rights of women to access and benefit from collective land ownership, resulting in landmark policy reforms and increased participation of women in land governance structures. 
• Family Law and Penal Code Reform: Monitors Morocco’s family law (Moudawana) and advocates for reforms to eliminate discrimination in areas such as marriage, divorce, custody, and inheritance, while also pushing for stronger protections against gender-based violence in the penal code. 
• Capacity Building and Leadership Training: Conducts workshops for women leaders at the community level, youth, civil society organizations, and public officials on leadership, advocacy, legal literacy, and monitoring of public policy implementation. 
• Human Rights Monitoring and International Advocacy: Produces shadow reports and engages with international human rights mechanisms, including CEDAW and UPR processes, while advocating for the removal of reservations to international conventions and stronger regional protections for women’s rights. 
• Public Campaigns and Civic Engagement: Leads national campaigns promoting gender equality and challenging discriminatory social norms, including initiatives focused on economic justice, legal reform, and ending violence against women.