Final Project- Coms 412

Course Number and Title: COMS 412 - Discourse of dissent Assignment: Final Project Working Title: The 7CHOUMA mouvement Submitted by: Imane El Moulihi Submitted to: Dr. Alessandra Renzi Submitted on: 12/09/2021

Description

This dossier is a creative work that aims to highlight the main objectives of the 7CHOUMA movement in Morocco. Created by Yasmine Lahlou and Sarah Benmoussa in 2019. The main focus is on menstruation as a societal taboo. Until today, there are many women that do not know much about their natural cycle, puberty, and reproductive system.

Hence, these women try to raise awareness and inform women about menstruation and womanhood. Furthermore, the movement is also exploring other areas that concern women, such as politics, art, and literature. The following collages will embody the issues, concerns, and hopes of Moroccan Women.

Disclaimer: All the women shown in these collages/photographs gave their consent to be featured and be part of this project. Some photos are no copyright images.

Chapter 1

TABOOS

“I dream of a taboo-free society, where I can no longer be judged for having natural hair.

“I dream of a nonjudgmental society, where I can be whoever I want and dress however I desire” “I dream of a liberated country that sees menstruation as natural and not as disgusting or repellent”

“Virginity is an obsession in Morocco and throughout the Arab world.” Leila Slimani Anything that can penetrate a uterus before marriage is unacceptable.

Hence, a tampon is a problem.

The Myth: A tampon can deflower a woman This myth is still alive in Morocco

Menses is shameful, a harsh reality.

“Most of the time, the salesman puts the sanitary pads in a pack of unused journals and sometimes, multiple bags, so that nobody sees that you bought sanitary pads.” Manal Zainabi, TV5Monde

The Anatomy Many Moroccan women are not aware of their own anatomy because it’s taboo to talk about it.

Sex Education is not present in the Moroccan educational system. Biology classes only mention the reproductive system and the way it functions. Talking about pleasure is only mentioned behind closed doors. Anything in relation to sex is taboo “84 % des Marocains sont ainsi hostiles à la liberté sexuelle” Telquel, 2014.

L’embarras du Choix.

Menstrual Precarity Only 30% percent of women have access to hygienic towels - 7ACHAK Post Many cannot afford to buy them. “ Should I eat or buy tampons/pads? I was walking down the street when I felt this strange sensation of a liquid passing through my legs. I saw the red flag. Only a dollar in my pocket.

I had to choose. “

Chapter 2 Double Standards and Violence go together

Cover Yourself or Not Women are still criticized for their personal choice of dressing. No matter what they choose.

They can be called uptight or vulgar. There is no way out. No escape.

Unlike MEN “Women cannot show skin because I am a man and I cannot control myself,” They said.

“Respect is earned and not acquired, The way you dress tells me if you can be respected.” They said again.

“She got harassed because she asked for it,” They said again and again.

“I can go out late, drink, have sex, smoke, dress the way I desire because I am a man,” They said again, again, and over again.

Whipped woman 52.1% of married women in Morocco were subject to domestic violence. 7ACHAK, ONU Femmes Maroc HCP. A common story about physical abuse made against women. It’s not because it’s occurring in secrecy, means that it does not exist. Women throughout history were qualified by men as being “submissive or weak” and even called “le sexe faible”.

It must be difficult if not unlivable to experience such trauma. But change can happen, women no longer are obliged to stay silent.

You are not alone.

“Do not dare to speak because you are a lost cause” They confirmed Description: My inner thoughts are a reflection of the lamp above. Silenced by a 5 dirham top-up card that will only be unleashed if scratched real hard.

I cannot stay silent forever.

7ACHAK movement made it possible to speak up.

Chapter 3 The Liberation

Moroccan women are sublime and worthy of Love and Respect.

We need both men and women to flourish as a society.

Le Prix CHETABA. “I am looking up at this mesmerizing chetaba. It’s not a regular Moroccan chetaba, it’s a valuable symbol that reflects my hard work.

I am smiling because I am proud of myself, standing in an empty field that has become my stage.” To all the moms, the sisters, the aunts... Thank you.

Merci ‫ا‬

Moroccan Lady Finger My future is bright, liberating, and free. I am detaching myself from any assumptions and social pressure that I spent years caring over my shoulder. I do not have to justify myself anymore, I do not owe anything to my community and I am free to say, wear, eat, live the way I desire to. That's the country I want to live in, a country that respects individuality and privacy. That's the future of my beloved Morocco.

Sources

De Beauvoir, Simone 1949. Le Deuxième Sexe [The Second Sex]. Paris: Gallimard.

Lamrabet, Asma. (2016). Women in the Qur’an: An Emancipatory Reading. Square view.

Lamya Ben Malek. https://www.instagram.com/lamyabenmalek/.

Maha Tazi, Women’s Creative Disobedience and the Continuing (Gender) Revolution in Post-Arab. Spring Morocco (2011-2020): Slam Poetry, Theatre, Visual Arts and RAPtivism Number one. (2009, September 23). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt5rfCzdOAY&t=300s&ab_channel=DiMADRAMAMCN Slimani, Leila. (2017). Sexe et mensonges : La vie sexuelle au Maroc. Les Arènes, Paris.

Selime, Zakia. 2012. A New Feminism? Gender Dynamics in Morocco’s February 20th Movement. Journal of International Women's Studies, 13(5), 101-114.

7achak.Maroc. (2019). Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/7achak.maroc.