Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
Currently, there are no studies on the prevalence of reproductive violence (RV) in Morocco where religious and social norms impact women's reproductive autonomy. To inform the design of integrated gender‐based violence (GBV) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programming, we conducted this study with the IPPF Member Association in Morocco (AMPF). The study aimed to measure the experiences of different forms of RV in Morocco, including those forms experienced by Moroccan and non‐Moroccan women and girls.
Methods
This study employed mixed methods including a Delphi to agree on the forms of reproductive violence relevant to women in Morocco and a survey carried out through a location‐based sampling from clients frequenting the AMPF clinics across the six regions of Morocco. Data collection was carried out from April to November 2024. To examine the associations between socio‐demographic, contraceptive use, gender norms, and experiences of reproductive violence using multivariate logistic regression models were fitted using Python 3.12.0 and SPSS 28.0.
Results
The Delphi study identified 21 forms of reproductive violence which informed the survey tool in addition to other questions on contraceptive use and gender norms. The survey concluded that 22.9% of women experienced at least one form of reproductive violence. The most prevalent form was “the partner's threat to leave if the women did not get pregnant” experienced by 31.6% Moroccans compared to 27.8% of non‐Moroccans. To measure the associations with any form of reproductive violence, we conducted a logistic regression. Among the significant factors associated with any form of reproductive violence was the current use of contraception (associated with a 176.7%–182.4% increase) and the agreement with questions on stigmatised beliefs around contraceptive use for married and unmarried women (associated with a 49.8% increase). Whereas the respondent's desire to get pregnant is associated with lower odds of RV, it may demonstrate alignment in reproductive desires.
Conclusions
Reproductive violence is a complex and multifaceted reality, deeply rooted in social relations and gender roles. Moroccan women seem to be more exposed to psychological and marital violence, while refugee women suffer systemic violence, often reinforced by their migratory status and vulnerability to institutions. SRH services should be informed by reproductive justice and seek to interrogate attitudes that justify control over women's contraceptive use and stigma associated with contraceptive use for married and unmarried women and propose approaches to prevent RV.